Ronwen Williams Makes History with Ballon d’Or Nomination
The 2024 Ballon d’Or is the 68th edition of football’s biggest individual award. It honours the best players from the 2023–24 season. This year, the award is based on season performance (1 August 2023 to 31 July 2024), not the calendar year. Ronwen Williams Ballon d’Or
The list of nominees was announced on 4 September 2024. The awards ceremony will be held on 28 October 2024. For the first time, UEFA is helping to host the event. But France Football still controls the voting and the Ballon d’Or name.
Two new awards are also being introduced this year:
- Men’s Coach of the Year
- Women’s Coach of the Year
Ronwen Williams Makes African History
South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has made history. He has been nominated for the Yashin Trophy, which goes to the best goalkeeper in the world. This is the first time a goalkeeper based in Africa has ever made the list.
Williams is also the first African-based footballer to receive this kind of nomination in Ballon d’Or history.
The Bafana Bafana captain joins a list of ten top goalkeepers. These include:
- Emiliano Martinez (Argentina) – the current Yashin Trophy winner
- Unai Simón (Spain)
- Diogo Costa (Portugal)
Only One African Has Ever Won the Ballon d’Or
So far, only one African player has ever won the main Ballon d’Or award: George Weah from Liberia. He won it in 1995, beating Jürgen Klinsmann and Jari Litmanen. Weah was also the first non-European to win the award.
Ronwen Williams is now following in his footsteps by putting African football in the spotlight again.
Support Ronwen Williams – Vote Today
This is a proud moment for South Africa and the entire continent. Fans can show their support by voting for Williams online.
Click here to vote for Ronwen Williams – 2024 Ballon d’Or Yashin Trophy
Let’s make history together—one vote at a time.