Ballon d'Or 2019 Ceremony Date and Time
The Ballon d'Or 2019 ceremony took place on December 2, 2019, at the Palais des Congrès in Paris, France. The event started at 7:00 PM local time (CET), with the main award presentation occurring later in the evening. The ceremony was broadcast globally, with coverage beginning earlier in the day for different time zones. For the exact broadcast schedule, check the official Forbes coverage of the event timeline.
The 2019 Ballon d'Or followed the traditional end-of-year schedule, aligning with the conclusion of the European football season. The event was held in the same Paris venue that has hosted the ceremony for many years. The start time was set to accommodate the global audience, with the main show beginning after the red carpet arrivals. The event concluded late in the evening, with the winner announcement being the highlight of the night.
Ballon d'Or 2019 Winner and Key Facts
Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or 2019, securing his sixth overall award and his first since 2012. The Argentine forward earned the trophy based on his performance for FC Barcelona and the Argentina national team during the 2018-2019 season. He accumulated 686 points in the voting, finishing far ahead of the other nominees. The results were announced during the ceremony at the Palais des Congrès, with the voting process conducted by a global panel of journalists.
The runner-up was Virgil van Dijk, the Dutch defender who had a standout season with Liverpool FC and the Netherlands national team. Van Dijk received 679 points, marking one of the closest races in recent Ballon d'Or history. The third-place finisher was Cristiano Ronaldo, who continued his consistent presence in the final three. The award recognized Messi's leading role in Barcelona's La Liga triumph and his record-breaking goal-scoring season. Detailed voting breakdowns and historical data are available on the official award documentation.
Ballon d'Or 2019 Nominees and Voting Process
The Ballon d'Or 2019 featured a shortlist of three main nominees: Lionel Messi, Virgil van Dijk, and Cristiano Ronaldo. The nominees were selected based on their performances between August 1, 2018, and July 31, 2019. The voting panel consisted of international sports journalists, with each voter casting a ballot for their top three players. The points system awarded 6 points for a first-place vote, 4 points for second place, and 2 points for third place.
The ceremony also included the recognition of the Kopa Trophy for the best male player under 21, which was won by Matthijs de Ligt. The Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper was not yet introduced in 2019, as it was added in later years. The event highlighted the global reach of the award, with coverage from major sports networks and publications. The official rules and historical results are maintained by the