The Ballon d’Or ceremony is around the corner. For the first time since its launch in 1956, the gala will be held at the Palladium Theatre, London, United Kingdom, for its 70th anniversary. The Ballon d’Or trophy is to be awarded to the best player of the 2025/2026 season, and there have emerged many predictions as to who should grab the trophy.
Recall that the Ballon d’Or earlier made a list of nominees for the Ballon d’Or award. These include:
- Harry Kane
- Vinícius Jr.
- Fabián Ruiz
- Vitinha
- Ferran Torres
- William Saliba
- Dayot Upamecano
- Bruno Fernandes
- Pau Cubarsí
- Marc Cucurella
- Jude Bellingham
- Ousmane Dembélé
- Luis Díaz
- Lamine Yamal
- Erling Haaland
- Gabriel Magalhães
- Achraf Hakimi
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
- Lionel Messi
- Sadio Mané
- Marquinhos
- Lautaro Martínez
- Kylian Mbappé
- Nuno Mendes
- João Neves
- Michael Olise
- William Pacho
- Julián Quiñones
- Rodri
- Declan Rice
However, only three names have been mentioned as favourites to win the award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony: Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, and Harry Kane.
The reason for predicting Mbappé as a favourite to win the award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony stems from the fact that he had a wonderful season with Real Madrid last season, scoring 58 goals for club and country. Also, in that same season, the French star won the La Liga Golden Boot and helped France finish fourth in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
For Yamal, he found the back of the net 24 times and provided 17 assists last season. He won La Liga and Supercopa de España with FC Barcelona, as well as the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Spain. To celebrate his predicted “win” in the Ballon d’Or ceremony, it is reported that the Spanish forward booked a private jet for himself and his family, as well as organising a huge celebration, in case he is awarded the trophy.
Kane was on a mission last season, leaving a statement that he ought to win the Ballon d’Or come Monday, October 26. His ridiculous goal-scoring form last season does the talking, as he netted 73 goals and provided eight assists in 65 appearances across all competitions for club and country.
Commenting on how nice it’d be for Harry Kane to bag the trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Bayern Munich’s last Ballon d’Or winner, stated:
“On Monday, the football world will turn its attention to London. For the first time, the Ballon d’Or will be awarded there, in Harry Kane’s hometown of all places. He grew up in London, and it was there that his extraordinary career began. I was fortunate enough to win the Ballon d’Or twice myself, so I can perhaps imagine how much it would mean to Harry [Kane] to receive the award in the very place where it all began for him.”
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Luis de la Fuente vs Luis Enrique: Who Wins Manager Of The Year Award At The Ballon d’Or Ceremony?
There’s no doubt Luis de la Fuente and Luis Enrique had a stellar season. However, it is predicted that the former will carry the day on Monday, ahead of Mikel Arteta, Vincent Kompany, Pep Guardiola, Unai Emery and Enrique at the Ballon d’Or ceremony. Spain’s national team head coach has taken his team to the 2026 FIFA World Cup on July 19, against an in-form Argentine team. In fact, Spain never lost a single game in the tournament and are now 43 games unbeaten.
Extra Time Note
At the Ballon d’Or ceremony, fans, punters, journalists, players, and the football community as a whole can’t wait to see who’s declared the winner of the Ballon d’Or. It promises to be an exciting gala, with plenty of celebration. Hopefully, Real Madrid won’t boycott the Ballon d’Or as they did two seasons ago under Carlo Ancelotti.
More Ballon d’Or News
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Kylian Mbappé’s Ballon d’Or Case: Three Crucial Reasons He Doesn’t Deserve The 2026 Award
