The Ballon d’Or award set to return November

The prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony will return in November, it has been confirmed, as the most coveted solo prize in football will be awarded once more.

Last year the ceremony was controversially scrapped entirely, due to the ongoing dangers of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, 12 months on, it has been announced that the Ballon d’Or will once again be contested in November live from the Chatelet Theatre in Paristo in France to crown the world’s most highly rated footballer.

Nominees for the award are set to be announced on October 8, when organisers France Football will release the full shortlist of stars.

Prior to the axing of the award last year, Bayern Munich’s prolific striker Robert Lewandowski had seemed to have edged himself ahead of the regular warring rivals Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lewandowski did scoop the alternative UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award, though is expected to be in the running for the Ballon d’Or this year upon its return.

The shortlist is likely to contain a number of Premier League stars, with Chelsea midfielder Jorginho now a heavy -albeit surprise favourite to push for the honour.

The Italian midfielder was a commanding presence last season as Chelsea surged to the Champions League final and became European champions against the odds, before then going on to propel Italy to glory in the final of Euro 2021 at Wembley.

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His club team-mate N’Golo Kante is also set to be in the running, while record club signing Romelu Lukaku is likewise expected to join the duo on the shortlist.

The women’s Ballon d’Or will also be given out this year for just the third time ever, and will take place at the same time as the men’s event. The Kopa Trophy and the Yachine Trophy will also be contested.