The 68th annual Ballon d’Or awards takes place this evening, as a host of the world’s best footballers await to see who will be crowned the winner for 2024.
One of the world’s most prestigious football ceremonies, the event will take place at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France and will be hosted by TV journalist Sandy Heribert, with former Chelsea and Ivory Coast forward Didier Drogba joining her as co-host for the evening.
Three of the last four events have resulted in Argentina icon Lionel Messi being named as the winner of the award, but with the iconic Inter Miami not nominated this year, there is a new name that will be on the trophy for 2024.
But who has won the award each year since its inception in 1956? Here is a the complete list of Ballon d’Or winners from 1956-2023.
17. 1971: Johan Cruyff
The Dutch magician won his first of two Ballon d'Or awards in 1971 while playing for Ajax. | AFP via Getty Images
18. 1972: Franz Beckenbauer
The German defensive legend won his first of two Ballon d'Or awards in 1972, while playing for Bayern Munich. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
19. 1973/1974: Johan Cruyff
The Dutch master was the first player to win the Ballon d'Or for two years in a row after moving to Barcelona. | Getty Images
20. 1975: Oleg Blokhin
Blokhin broke John Cryuff's run by winning the award in 1975, while playing for Dynamo Kyiv. | AFP via Getty Images