Historic Battle for the Ballon d'Or in London

The "London Palladium" theater in the British capital, London, hosts today, Monday, the 2026 Ballon d'Or awards ceremony in its 70th edition, marking the first time in history that this major event is held outside the French capital, Paris.

The eyes of football fans around the world are turning towards the British capital to follow a fierce battle among the elite stars of the round ball for the most prestigious individual award. English striker Harry Kane, Bayern Munich's forward, tops the list of the most prominent and strongest contenders for the Ballon d'Or, relying on his prolific goalscoring numbers and exceptional level domestically and in Europe. He is joined by the brilliant young Spanish star Lamine Yamal, Barcelona's winger, who is delivering stunning performances putting him at the heart of the major competition alongside his nomination for the best young player award.

French star Kylian Mbappé is also not far from the advanced competition circle thanks to his remarkable record with Real Madrid, amidst a strong presence of the brightest global names in the final list comprising thirty players, including Lionel Messi, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, and Erling Haaland. This is alongside the honorable Arab and Moroccan presence represented by the dazzling star Achraf Hakimi and the giant goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who grace the global elite list with their usual brilliance, making this exceptional evening a new and exciting chapter in the history of global football.