2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony date set

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for October 26 in London, where the 70th recipient will be announced, following Ousmane Dembélé’s recent win.

Contenders for the award

Several players are being considered for the individual award, including Lamine Yamal, who won the World Cup with Spain, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, and Paris Saint-Germain players Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé.

Leak suggests Messi’s involvement

A recent leak revealed that Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, will be present at the ceremony and will personally hand over the trophy to the new winner on stage.

Symbolic connection to Yamal

Messi’s involvement has been interpreted as a clue pointing toward Lamine Yamal’s potential victory, as the FC Barcelona star once held Messi as a baby during a famous photo session.