On Monday, France Football will announce the name of the new Ballon d’Or winner. The event will take place in Paris’s Théâtre Châtelet.

Karim Benzema, the main favorite to win the “Golden Ball-2022”.

The big favorite to win the trophy is Karim Benzema, the striker of “Real”.

At the age of 34 (he turns 35 on December 19), Benzema has impressed this season, winning the Champions League, La Liga, Supercopa de España and European Supercup with Real Madrid.

Also, the Frenchman has already received the title of player of the 2021-2022 season in the Champions League.

Karim has already won 5 Champions League trophies with Galacticos.

Lionel Messi is not among the nominees, for the first time since 2005

30 players have been nominated for the Ballon d’Or 2022, and for the first time since 2005, Lionel Messi is not on the list.

Golden Ball 2022, list of nominated footballers

Trent Alexander-Arnold (England, Liverpool)

Karim Benzema (France, Real Madrid)

Joao Cancelo (Portugal, Manchester City)

Casemiro (Brazil, Real Madrid)

Thibaut Courtois (Belgium, Real Madrid)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Manchester United)

Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium, Manchester City)

Luis Diaz (Colombia, “Porto” / “Liverpool”)

Fabinho (Brazil, Liverpool)

Phil Foden (England, Manchester City)

Erling Haaland (Norway, Borussia Dortmund / Manchester City)

Sebastian Haller (Côte d’Ivoire, Ajax / Borussia Dortmund)

Harry Kane (England, Tottenham)

Joshua Kimmich (Germany, Bayern Munich)

Rafael Leao (Portugal, Milan)

Robert Lewandowski (Poland, Bayern / FC Barcelona)

Riyad Mahrez (Algeria, Manchester City)

Mike Magnan (France, Milan)

Sadio Mane (Senegal, FC Liverpool / Bayern Munich)

Kylian Mbappe (France, Paris-SG)

Luka Modric (Croatia, Real Madrid)

Christopher Nkunku (France, RB Leipzig)

Darwin Nunes (Uruguay, “Benfica” / “Liverpool”)

Antonio Rüdiger (Germany, Chelsea / Real Madrid)

Mohamed Salah (Egypt, FC Liverpool)

Bernardo Silva (Portugal, Manchester City)

Son Heung-min (South Korea, Tottenham)

Virgil Van Dijk (Netherlands, FC Liverpool)

Vinicius Junior (Brazil, Real Madrid)

Dusan Vlahovic (Serbia, Fiorentina/Juventus)

Awards to be presented at the 2022 Ballon d’Or Gala

Kopa Award for the best young player

Yashin Award to the best goalkeeper

Gerd Müller Award for the best scorer

“Club of the Year” award.

Socrates Prize

Golden ball to the best player

Golden Ball to the best player.

The event will start at 21:30 (Romanian time). The last winners were Alexia Putellas (female) and Lionel Messi (male).