After a one year break due to the pandemic, the Ballon d’Or will return in 2021 with world football’s biggest stars set to descend on Paris in November.

The men’s field is the most open it has been for some time. Lionel Messi is looking to claim his seventh award, while long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo is vying for a sixth triumph.

There are plenty of new stars on the block as well. Robert Lewandowski will be hoping to win his first ever Ballon d’Or, as will Chelsea pair Jorginho and N’Golo Kante.

Meanwhile, the Ballon d’Or Feminin will likely go to one of Barcelona’s stars, after they secured a famous treble last season.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the awards ceremony…

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The 2021 Ballon d’Or will take place on Monday 29 November at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris – the same venue that was used for the 2019 awards.

France Football has not yet announced the exact start time yet, so keep your eyes peeled to 90min for any updates.

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The 30 nominees for the both the male and female award will be revealed on Friday 8 October.

Nominations for the Yashin Trophy, given to the best goalkeeper of the year, as well as the Kopa Trophy for the best Under-21 player, were kept secret last time out and we are expecting the same this year.

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You will be able to follow the ceremony on L’Equipe’s YouTube channel. Full details on how to do this will be added here when France Football unveil more information.

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Ballon d’Or: Lionel Messi
Ballon d’Or Feminin: Megan Rapinoe
Kopa Trophy: Matthijs de Ligt
Yashin Trophy: Alisson

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There are a few standout contenders for the 2021 Ballon d’Or. Lionel Messi finally ended his wait for an international trophy in the summer when he led Argentina to Copa America glory. He also had a terrific 2020/21 season – despite playing in a hugely dysfunctional Barcelona side.

Champions League winning Chelsea pair N’Golo Kante and Jorginho – the latter whom also won the Euros – have been attracted a lot of discussion too. Meanwhile, if the judges like goals, Robert Lewandowski is in with a terrific chance.

For the Yashin Trophy, Euro 2020 winner Gianluigi Donnarumma will surely see off challenges from Edouard Mendy and Ederson to scoop top prize. Elsewhere, Pedri and Erling Haaland will likely battle it out for the Kopa Trophy.

The Ballon d’Or Feminin is going to Barcelona. However, it remains uncertain whether Alexia Putellas, Caroline Graham Hansen, Aitana Bonmati or Jenni Hermoso will win it. Chelsea’s Sam Kerr might sneak onto the podium, though.