Alejandro Garnacho was one of the first players pictured on the red carpet as he arrived at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris with Eva Garcia.
The 20-year-old was decked out in a black suit, white shirt and bow tie, while Garcia wore a sparkling dress for the ceremony at the Theater du Chatelet.
Lamine Yamal showed up with his family – including his father Mounir, who was stabbed last summer – and led out fellow Barcelona stars Pau Cubarsi and Dani Olmo.
Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse made a surprise appearance on the red carpet, wearing a shiny black jacket complete with a giant flower of the same colour.
Former World Cup winner Mats Hummels, back among the nominees at the age of 35 and playing for Roma, was pictured with his partner Nicola Cavanis.
Predictably, there were no Real Madrid stars after they decided to boycott the ceremony, with Vinicius Jr. led to believe he had lost to the predicted winner Rodri.
The Spanish and French press have reported that no Real player, member of management or coaching staff will be present at tonight’s glitzy ceremony, held at the Theater du Chatelet.
The shocking news comes after it was reportedly leaked on Sunday that Vinicius Jr. was the winner of football’s most iconic individual award.
But in a twist of fate, this list was incorrect and the winner is in fact Rodri, Manchester City’s midfield maestro.
Ballon d’Or organizers insisted on Monday afternoon ahead of the ceremony: ‘No player and no club yet knows the winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or.’
More to follow.