Ballon d’Or: Messi ‘favourite to clinch record-breaking’ sixth Ballon d’Or

Monday evening will see football’s biggest stars come together in Paris, where the 2019 Ballon d’Or winner will be announced.

It’s been another remarkable year of action across Europe, where Liverpool clinched their sixth European title as Lionel Messi recorded another extraordinary year in front of goal.

For those reasons, the Reds boast the most players on the list with seven. But they all sit behind the Barcelona forward in the running to be crowned the best player of 2019.

The Argentinian is currently 1/12 to clinch the Ballon d’Or for a record sixth time. His nearest challenger is Virgil van Dijk, who is currently 6/1 to lift the trophy after a fantastic year for club and country.

However, as always, Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to add to his tally of honours. The Juventus forward is 20/1 to go one better than last year and win the award. He finished second to Croatia midfielder Luka Modric in 2018.

Sadio Mane is currently 66/1 to clinch success.

And his Reds team-mates Alisson and Mohammed Salah are available at 80/1 and 100/1 respectively.

Manchester City are next in line with five players. Their attacking trio of Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne are their favourites to take home the prize. They have all been given odds of 100/1.

The Ballon d’Or Feminin will also be presented, where the top female player of 2019 will be rewarded for her performances on the pitch. England’s Ellen White and Lucie Bronze have made the 30-strong shortlist.

And they are alongside strong competition in the likes of Brazil’s Marta and Australia’s Sam Kerr. American duo Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan are also among the potential winners.

The likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Joao Felix and Jadon Sancho will also be in attendance. They’re hoping to win the Kopa Trophy for being the best player in the world under the age of 21.

Kylian Mbappe won the prize last year, with Christian Pulisic and Justin Kluivert coming in second and third respectively.

Kai Havertz, Vinicius Junior and Moise Kean are also up for the award, as well as several other young stars across Europe.

And finally the Yashin Trophy will also be awarded to the top goalkeeper of 2019. Liverpool’s Alisson and Manchester City’s Ederson will go head to head alongside numerous other number ones.

The famous awards show takes place in Paris on Monday in what will be the 64th annual ceremony of the Ballon d’Or.