Ballon d’Or’s red carpet! Lionel Messi keeps it traditional, David Beckham is as stylish as ever and Kylian Mbappe fashions a bizarre grey suit as superstars show off in Paris
In a glamorous display of footballing excellence, the elite of the sport donned their finest attire and designer ensembles as they graced the red carpet in Paris for the highly anticipated Ballon d’Or awards ceremony.
This prestigious annual event celebrates the supreme talents of the football world, with Lionel Messi widely tipped to secure an unprecedented eighth individual accolade as the finest male performer. The who’s who of the Premier League, A-list celebrities, renowned YouTubers, and esteemed former players and managers have gathered at the Theatre du Chatelet, creating an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. Throngs of enthusiastic supporters eagerly await a glimpse of their idols.
Interestingly, Messi, known for his penchant for unconventional fashion choices, opted for a more understated look on this momentous evening, where he is expected to claim yet another individual award, possibly marking the culmination of his Ballon d’Or journey. The Argentine maestro exuded elegance in a sleek black tuxedo, accompanied by his family, as they returned to Paris, a city where he had previously plied his trade with PSG.
Tonight’s hosts Didier Drogba and Sandy Heribert as always : Pascal Le Segretain (Getty Images)
Lionel Messi opted for a traditional tuxedo as he arrived at the Ballon d’Or ceremony
Messi was accompanied by his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their three sons in Paris
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David Beckham looked suave in a navy-blue cross-jacket at the Ballon d’Or ceremony
Kylian Mbappe opted for a bizarre grey material jacket with a black undershirt
Erling Haaland poses in an all-navy tuxedo alongside his partner Isabel Haugseng Johansen
Manchester City’s Argentinian striker Julian Alvarez was amongst a collective of Premier League players at the event
Man City defender Rodri adopted a traditional tuxedo as he posed ahead of the Ballon d’Or
There was a surprise appearance for former Chelsea star and Real Madrid flop Eden Hazard
Liverpool legend Djibril Cisse was at his eye-catching best as he turned up in a white suit and had dyed his hair blue
Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham turned up with his club team-mate Vinicius Jnr
Erling Haaland and IShowSpeed cross paths at the Ballon d’Or ceremony
Drogba has to step in to stop hecklers booing Martinez at Ballon d’Or
In a delightful turn of events, Arsenal’s rising star Bukayo Saka and the talented Martin Odegaard have secured their places among the esteemed top 30 contenders for the Ballon d’Or.
Among the notable attendees, the ever-stylish David Beckham, owner of Inter Miami, exuded his signature coolness in a navy suit adorned with a cross-jacket design. With his hair neatly trimmed, Beckham appeared in high spirits as he gracefully posed for the camera’s gaze on the illustrious red carpet.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe, known for his bold fashion choices, decided to break away from convention by sporting a peculiar grey tuxedo accompanied by a black undershirt.
Manchester City players, buoyed by their resounding victory over cross-town rivals Manchester United in the recent derby at Old Trafford, were among the early arrivals at the glamorous affair. Erling Haaland, who enjoyed a stellar debut season at Man City, breaking records along the way, graced the event in a dashing navy tuxedo, accompanied by his girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen.
Surprising the audience, former Chelsea star and Real Madrid flop Eden Hazard made a rare appearance, having recently retired from professional football in October. Opting for a classic black suit and tie, Hazard, accompanied by his family, confidently embraced the paparazzi’s attention on the red carpet.
The event also witnessed a nostalgic moment as former Liverpool star Djibril Cisse showcased another iconic ensemble, evoking memories among Reds supporters of his striking fashion sense during his tenure at Anfield.
Former Man City skipper Ilkay Gundogan was calm and collective on the red carpet in Paris
Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic was present on the red carpet at the exclusive event
Man City’s talented midfielder, Rodri, embraced the timeless elegance of a traditional tuxedo, fitting in seamlessly with the exclusive guest list at the invite-only Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris.
Djibril Cisse, known not only for his on-field prowess but also for his flamboyant hairstyles and daring fashion choices during his Liverpool days, made a memorable appearance. He donned a white suit, daringly opting for no shirt, and even dyed his hair blue to complete his eye-catching ensemble.
Real Madrid and England sensation, Jude Bellingham, captivated attention by eschewing the conventional tuxedo and instead opting for a striking six-button jacket paired with a stylish bow tie, showcasing his unique sense of style.
His club teammate, Vinicius Jnr, took fashion boldness a step further by arriving in a captivating red jacket that beautifully complemented the vibrant red carpet graced by esteemed celebrities.
Aston Villa’s remarkable goalkeeper and Argentina’s World Cup winner, Emiliano Martinez, exuded sophistication in a stylish suede-jacket tuxedo, accompanied by his wife, as they posed gracefully outside the theater.
Bernardo Silva, another standout star from the Premier League, made the short journey to France with an air of elegance. He exuded class as he made his entrance into the event hall. Following suit in style was his club companion, Rodri, who showcased a similar sophisticated fashion sense befitting the grand occasion.
Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was another Premier League representative
Joining the illustrious gathering were social media influencers IShowSpeed (left) and Luva de Pedreiro (right), adding a touch of modernity to the event.
Perhaps hoping for a reunion with their former Manchester City colleague Ilkay Gundogan, who recently made the move to Barcelona, the duo graced the Ballon d’Or occasion with their presence.
Tennis sensation Novak Djokovic, known for his avid support of football, also made a notable appearance at the exclusive ceremony in the French capital, showcasing his passion for the beautiful game.
Not limited to sports personalities, the event also welcomed non-sport stars, including social media influencers IShowSpeed and Luva de Pedreiro, who made their mark on the red carpet with their distinctive styles.
IShowSpeed opted for a pair of designer trainers, featuring unique perforations that added a beach-like flair to his ensemble. Luva de Pedreiro, on the other hand, donned a striking red suit paired with black shoes, making a bold sartorial statement.