How are you before we host the Ballon d’Or on Monday, October 17th?
Sandy Heribert : The third year we wore our costume and beautiful dress with Didier Drogba. I am still very excited. I don’t know why or how, but I have no stage fright, I’m not stressed at all. It must be physiological. On the one hand, I feel excitement, I even need to meditate before! It is an event that I have the honor of meeting my friend Didier, which I greatly appreciate.
How do you understand re-enacting a ceremony in front of such a calm audience?
We are doing everything to adapt to the people in front of us. But a ceremony remains very formal. We gather in 150 countries, we take commercial breaks, we have to go on the air at a certain time… So we rehearse a lot, to respect the minute. When we enter the room, we are very determined to put on a good performance. Therefore, we tend to hide the atmosphere, which can be a bit heavy and not very festive. People are very happy and dignified to be there, but strangely not a very friendly folk! The first year I was surprised because the atmosphere I imagined was not there. Pretty quiet, not much applause… You could hear a pin drop! The classical spirit of the Théâtre du Châtelet must have something to do with it. A symbolic place in Paris. It’s also a calm yet gentle atmosphere. We don’t turn the napkin, but he has a respect for us and among the players.
For the third time, you will host the ceremony as a duo with Didier Drogba. How is your cooperation going?
Besides hosting with someone who isn’t involved, it’s a challenge. I loved the first year (editor’s note 2019) that I gave him all the tricks, tips, advice… This year, too, I’m doing everything to make Didier as comfortable as possible. We have writers who write the scripts for us and then we go over it. When I feel that it is unnatural and heavy in the mouth, I say to him: “Look, just say it your way.“And we’re reworking our texts. It’s very important for Didier to feel extremely comfortable. We just want him to have fun. That’s my football credit. He finished fourth in the Ballon d’Or in 2007 and he knows everybody! He has an aura. That makes him fit. We form a true complementary duo.
When will you find out who the winners are?
We learn the names of the winners when Didier and I arrive at the Théâtre du Châtelet on the morning of the ceremony. We’re supposed to play the winners’ tapes with our general rehearsals in the afternoon. Didier and each of us have favorites, we make small guesses between us. That’s why it’s always a very exciting moment when we find out who the Ballon d’Or is.
With a favorite like Karim Benzema popping up so much this season, is it hard to stay curious?
Although Karim Benzema is applauded, it is not the people who vote. Journalists, experts who will determine the winner. You have to trust them. Not yet written!
66to Ballon d’Or ceremony: Monday 17 October from 16:30 at La Chaîne L’Équipe
final touch… ✨✨✨ #balloondor pic.twitter.com/mTesgUbyX9
— Ballon d’Or #ballondor (@francefootball) 11 October 2022
Benoit Lesueur
Source: Programme Television
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