From Messi to Zendaya: Stars dazzle on the Ballon d’Or red carpet

Lionel Messi and Alexia Putellas won top titles at the event in Paris

The world’s top football stars as well as several other A-list celebrities were welcomed at the glittering Ballon d’Or award ceremony, including the likes of Lionel Messi and Hollywood star Zendaya. The event took place in Paris at the Theatre du Chatelet on November 29, with the top prizes being awarded to football legend Messi, as well as the incredibly talented Barcelona captain Alexia Putellas.

Putellas has already been named the Uefa’s Women’s Player of the Year after the midfielder’s stellar performance. The footballer beat fellow players Jennifer Hermoso, Chelsea’s Sam Kerr and Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema for the top title. She said, according to The Guardian, “I’m very emotional, it’s a very special moment. I would like to start by thanking all my teammates, especially my current [Barcelona] teammates. For me, it’s a collective success.”

Messi won his seventh Ballon d’Or, beating Robert Lewandowski, putting him ahead of footballer Cristiano Ronaldo by two titles. The football icon said, “I don’t know if it’s the best year of my life, I’ve had a long career. But it was a special one with the title with Argentina after the tough times and the criticism.”

Several sportsmen and other celebrities dressed to the nines for the event. Messi donned a quirky sequined tuxedo, with his sons dressed up as mini Messis in identical shimmering outfits. The footballer’s wife, Argentine model Antonella Roccuzzo donned a gold gown and sported glamorous wavy hair.

Lionel Messi

Sequins seemed to be the winners’ choice, with Putellas also opting for a glitzy black sequined gown with padded shoulder detailing. The footballer kept her hair up in a loose bun, which went fabulously well with the long-sleeved number.

Alexia Putellas 

Ballon d’Or nominee Lewandowski showed up on the red carpet with his wife Anna Lewandowski. The footballer chose to don a shiny blue tuxedo, paired with a black tie, with his wife opting for a black and gold corset-style gown embellished with sequins.

Robert Lewandowski

The event was also attended by Dune actor Zendaya, as well as her rumoured boyfriend, Spider-Man actor Tom Holland. Zendaya stunned in a backless Roberto Cavalli number. The black figure-hugging dress had a spine-shaped metallic detail running up the back, with the Euphoria actor accessorising with a smooth updo and chunky gold hoop earrings.

Zendaya

Holland was dressed in a classic black and white tuxedo, choosing to pair the look with horn-rimmed frames and brushed back hair.

Tom Holland

Fashion designer Julien Fournie was also present at the event, who sashayed down the red carpet runway in a tracksuit-tuxedo hybrid, complete with a dramatic blue cape draped on top.

Julien Fournie