Paris was already turning towards midnight when Antoine Griezmann’s Ballon d’Or evening began to run out of road. The France forward had arrived for football’s biggest individual ceremony with an Atlético Madrid delegation, but a delayed landing, blocked traffic and an early training session the following morning left every minute measured.
A tight Paris schedule
- Griezmann was among the leading candidates for the 2018 Ballon d’Or, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Luka Modric and fellow France international Kylian Mbappé.
- The Atlético Madrid party landed at Le Bourget around 20 minutes behind schedule. Club president Enrique Cerezo was followed off the aircraft by Griezmann, Lucas Hernandez and Thomas Lemar.
- Two dark-windowed vans were waiting outside. Hernandez made clear that he wanted to travel with Griezmann, the principal attraction of the group, and joined him in the same vehicle.
- During the drive, Griezmann spoke easily about basketball, saying he had enjoyed watching Brooklyn that season, and mentioned plans to attend Diego Godin’s wedding in Uruguay the following summer.
- The group reached La Réserve, where suite 206 had been prepared for the three French players. Stylists and hairdressers worked on their final preparations, while Hernandez finished first and joked that his suit made him look like James Bond.
Traffic intervention gets Atlético to the Grand Palais
The Grand Palais was only about five minutes away, but the final journey became difficult as traffic built around the venue. With the ceremony due to begin within 40 minutes, the driver appealed to officers managing the roads and explained that Griezmann was in the car.
The route was cleared. Griezmann lowered his window to greet and thank the police as the convoy moved through. Atlético were the final delegation to arrive on the red carpet, allowing the ceremony to begin.
France’s World Cup figures fill the room
Inside the VIP area, former France manager Gérard Houllier approached Griezmann for an autograph. Actor Marina Foïs then posed for a picture with him, before France coach Didier Deschamps arrived. The player’s group quickly hid a glass of champagne at the sight of the national-team boss.
- Ada Hegerberg was awarded the first women’s Ballon d’Or.
- Mbappé collected the Kopa Trophy as the world’s best young player.
- Modric won the men’s Ballon d’Or.
- Griezmann placed third and embraced Modric after the announcement.
There was little time for Griezmann to linger after the result. Le Bourget’s runways were closing at midnight, while Atlético training was scheduled for 10am the next day. His Paris evening ended as it had begun: on the clock.
