A very simple answer to an admittedly complex question, so only one part of the cause for what you have described in your OP, but I think much of it is due to there being little-to-no suspense to the affair now.

All of the winners—even the main one—are leaked well in advance of the ceremony, meaning most of the players attending are only there because their image management company has forced them to go (mostly to make up the numbers). The vast majority get nothing out of it aside from a little bit of exposure for the few watching live and avoiding being seen as not supporting the winners. Most of those in attendance would rather be sleeping or training or on holiday; anything but sitting on their arses watching other people get awards everyone already knew they were going to receive.

I think this year’s event was an especially dire example of this as pretty much everyone that followed football to any extent knew Messi would win the Ballon d’Or as soon as he lifted the World Cup trophy in Qatar, regardless of what any other player did during the away period after (see Haaland).

Perhaps next season will have more energy if they can suppress the leaks and the contenders are more evenly (and fairly) assessed.

Obviously it’s because Speed was there

Why would anyone watch an awards ceremony tho

With people like Thogden getting a vote in the Ballon D’or, I think everybody’s decided not to take it seriously anymore.

Everyone knows it’s rigged for messi

It’s also lost it’s credibility. That’s why

Nooo

Never seen it. Maybe if journalists that voted did the presentation it would mean more.

Haaland’s award all day, it was fixed

I tuned out the moment I saw that Speed clown turn up, why was he even there? They’re letting anyone in now.

To be honest probably none of them do.

Its the middle of a season, the schedule is tight and the last thing they want to do is fly to France, sit in uncomfortable clothes for a few hours and then fly back.

Would probably much rather be rehabing or resting.

No idea why they don’t do this shit during the offseason.

It’s lost a lot of its meaning too since it’s either Messi or Ronaldo every year for so long, no one really gives a shit.

I guess that it is what happens when you have a popularity contest and you already know the winner before it started?

Hell, in the past 3-4 years you have seen guys having great seasons being sent to the back seat just to hand over the trophy to Messi 🙂. And what justifies the trophy in one season, is completely invalid if thr next guy does it in the following.

Anyway, this year main offender easnt even the ballon d’or winner… but mostly how the hell Martinez got it 🤣

I watched on TNT as well, and it was a shambles. Who thought it was a good idea to have a guy translating in real time, whilst his volume is lower than that of the hosts? I couldn’t hear either of them in the end. Did no one think to have the translation transcribed on screen???

It was also really weird when Aitana Bonmati won her balon d’or and half the crowd didn’t even bother applauding. She looked so uncomfortable and almost embarrassed. Then Drogba had to remind the crowd to applaud her and to give her a standing ovation.

Even if you don’t want to be there, at least make your fellow professional feel respected in their moment, especially as a female player when they whole thing is still largely focused on the male game.

Been watching football with my friends almost my whole life and we’ve never once watched the balón de oro ceremony. I could be wrong but I feel like most fans don’t watch it either.