
The race for individual trophies features prominent names in world football, with confirmations and new challenges.
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The Ballon d'Or is an annual football award that recognizes the best players of the season. The ceremony includes several award categories for coaches, goalkeepers and young talents.
Who are the favorites among men
In the men's field, the race to win the trophy promises to be tight with some main candidates in contention: the most popular names are those of Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal. The Frenchman Ousmane Dembélé, who is on the list of 30 finalists, is the outgoing winner but does not seem to have high hopes of doing an encore. Among the thirty candidates also include Leo Messi, the Spain captain Rodri, his compatriot Fabian Ruiz, the Georgian winger of PSG Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (recently the victim of a serious injury) and the Frenchman of Bayern Michael Olise.
Who are the favorites among women
As regards the women's trophy, here too the challenge seems to be uncertain: in this edition the multiple winner Aitana Bonmatí is missing while her compatriot Alexia Putellas is aiming for a third individual recognition. The former Barça star, now playing for London City Lionesses, will have to deal with the Polish Ewa Pajor and another Spaniard, Claudia Pina - both of her former teammates in Catalonia. Also competing for the title are Olympique Lyon's Haitian midfielder, Melchie Dumornay, and Manchester City's Jamaican striker, Khadija Shaw.
Other prizes awarded
During the ceremony, other prizes will be awarded in addition to the two individual Ballon d'Ors: there will in fact be recognition for the best coach, the best U21, the best goalkeeper, the best teams. Even in these cases Italy appears to be absent. Additionally, a new award, the "Ballon d'Or Of All Time" (Boat), will be awarded to a former winner who has won the Ballon d'Or at least twice, based on an online vote open to the public.

Lazio, the solitary league leaders, faces Sassuolo away on Tuesday at 6.30pm. Gattuso is aiming for his fifth consecutive victory, supported by thousands of away fans despite the ongoing protest against the presidency at the Olimpico.

Captain Filippo Volandri has issued the squad for the Davis Cup Final 8: Cobolli, Darderi and Musetti for the singles, Bolelli and Vavassori for the doubles. Italy will debut on November 25th in Bologna against South Korea.
Jannik Sinner announced via Instagram his return to the court for the Six Kings Slam tournament in Riyadh, scheduled from 27 to 30 December. The tennis player, returning from an injury, will try to defend the title won in previous editions.

Napoli's lawyer, Mattia Grassani, has announced an urgent appeal against the two-match disqualification imposed on coach Massimiliano Allegri, aiming for a reduction of the sentence in view of the match against Juventus.

Helmsman Francesco Bruni leaves Luna Rossa to join Tudor Team Alinghi as skipper and helmsman. The agreement, made official by the two teams, will see Bruni involved with the Swiss team starting from the tests in the Gulf of Naples in December.

Portrait of Sir Stanley Matthews, first winner of the Ballon d'Or in 1956. His legendary career, marked by longevity, his links with Stoke City and Blackpool, and his humanitarian commitment against apartheid in South Africa.