The footballing world is turning its attention to the London Palladium as the final ten contenders for the 2026 Ballon d'Or have been officially confirmed. The shortlist features a mix of veteran legends and the game's brightest rising stars, setting the stage for one of the most unpredictable ceremonies in recent memory.
The football world has been left in a state of confusion after the official Ballon d'Or website appeared to announce three different winners just hours before the gala. Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal were all individually celebrated as the recipient of the 2026 trophy in a series of shocking technical errors.
Real Madrid have sent a targeted delegation to London for the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, placing Kylian Mbappe front and centre of their presence. While the French forward has made the trip to England, notable heavyweights Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham have opted to remain in the Spanish capital.
Former Real Madrid player and manager Jorge Valdano has heaped praise on Kylian Mbappe following his decisive brace in El Clasico. The Argentine lauded the French forward's immense influence, declaring him an undeniable leader for the club after sinking Barcelona at Spotify Camp Nou.
The most prestigious individual prize in the game will be awarded on Monday, with a whole host of contenders in with a shot of finishing top of the pile
The very best players in the world will descend on The London Palladium on Monday as the annual event aims to bring together as many huge names as possible
Kylian Mbappe reached a historic milestone by scoring his 100th goal for Real Madrid during a match-winning performance against Barcelona. The French forward insisted that squad unity mattered more than his personal benchmark.
Jose Mourinho and Kylian Mbappe have publicly supported Vinicius Junior after the Brazilian forward was whistled by Real Madrid supporters during their recent Champions League victory. The attacker is currently enduring a difficult nine-game goal drought and faces a lengthy domestic suspension.
Real Madrid youngster Arda Guler has lifted the lid on his decision to snatch a goal away from teammate Kylian Mbappe during the club's recent European exploits. The Turkish international was in a jovial mood following a dominant display that saw Los Blancos brush aside RB Leipzig at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid extended their perfect Champions League start with a 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig, inspired by Kylian Mbappé's goal and assist. Substitute Yan Diomande stole the show late on with a spectacular volley to secure the three points.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has offered his full support to teammate Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Ballon d'Or, claiming the Frenchman stands alone as the world's best individual performer. The Belgian shot-stopper also took the opportunity to question the consistency of the voting process, suggesting that the criteria for football's most prestigious individual prize remain confusing for players and fans alike.
Lamine Yamal reached a historic milestone despite Barcelona suffering a 4-2 defeat away to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night. The 19-year-old winger netted his 13th UEFA Champions League goal, matching Kylian Mbappe's record for the most goals scored by a teenager in the competition.
Kylian Mbappe has been chasing the Ballon d’Or dream since he was a teenager, with Gilles Grimandi telling GOAL why he was left “embarrassed” when first being made aware of that ambitious Golden Ball target. The ex-Arsenal star formed part of transfer talks at the time, with Mbappe’s family making it clear to the Gunners that the flying frontman intended to become the best player on the planet.
La Liga officials are preparing a massive television production featuring up to 40 cameras around Camp Nou for Sunday's blockbuster showdown between Barcelona and Real Madrid. The broadcast setup will include dedicated player-tracking lenses locked onto attacking superstars Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe throughout the contest.
