All you need to know about the 2022 Ballon d’Or

Some of the greatest football players in the history of the game have won the Ballon d’Or and many stars are once again in contention to lift the prestigious accolade.

Read on to find out the latest on this year’s ceremony, including the potential candidates for the distinguished prize.

When is the 2022 Ballon d’Or?

The 2022 Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held in Paris on Monday, October 17.

Due to the World Cup taking place in Qatar the following month, the glitzy affair has been moved forward to avoid a clash.

How does the 2022 Ballon d’Or voting system work?

Unlike previous editions, the 2022 vote will be based on performances during the past season, rather than during the calendar year.

A player’s achievements from August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022 will therefore be the basis of the award.

A shortlist of 30 men and 20 women will be released by France Football with selected journalists from FIFA’s top 100 nations eligible to vote.

The journalists will pick their top five players, with points awarded to each.

Whichever player receives the most points will be awarded the prize.

If two players are tied on the same points, the number of first-place votes will determine the overall winner.

Who won the Ballon d’Or in 2021?

Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi won the men’s award in 2021, a record-extending seventh overall.

Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas picked up the women’s gong, in only the third edition of the prize.

Norwegian star Ada Hegerberg and American ace Megan Rapinoe are the two other recipients of the award.

Who are the favourites to win the 2022 Ballon d’Or?

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema is the leading candidate for the men’s prize, after his stunning campaign in 2021-22.

Benzema, 34, fired Los Blancos to glory in both the Champions League and LaLiga, scoring 44 goals in all competitions.

Real team-mate Luka Modric is the only player other than Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to have won the award since 2007.

The women’s race is more of an open contest, although Putellas is favourite to retain her crown.

Putellas was absent for this summer’s Women’s European Championship with injury however, while also failing to prevent Barca losing the Champions League final to Lyon.

This may open up the voting for one of the stars of Euro 2022 to lift the award, with Golden Boot winner Beth Mead and Alexandra Popp both in contention.

Who is on the 2022 Ballon d’Or shortlist?