The 2026 Ballon d'Or, the most prestigious individual award in football, will be announced on October 26 in London after being decided by a vote from 100 journalists who form the Ballon d'Or jury. The voting period will end on Monday, September 28, and each journalist must submit their Top 10 list of the best players from the previous season. The award is known for the intense media activity surrounding it, with players often personally participating in campaigns through interviews and brief public statements. Pascal Ferré, a former editor-in-chief of France Football and a member of the Ballon d'Or jury from 2016 to 2023, noted that Kylian Mbappé's campaign is one of the first times a player has taken such an active role in lobbying for the award. Usually, this kind of effort is handled by clubs, agents, or support teams. Ferré expressed doubts about the effectiveness of Mbappé's strategy, suggesting it might annoy the jurors, who are not used to such persistent campaigning. He also mentioned that the Ballon d'Or can make players "a little crazy," as it is the only award that allows a player to stand out individually, unlike other competitions for money or contracts. Ferré, who wrote the book La face cachée du Ballon d'Or, published by Albin Michel, stated that he would not have voted for Mbappé if he were still on the jury. He does not believe Mbappé is currently the best player in the world, even though he was the top scorer. The Ballon d'Or campaign has also drawn attention to other athletes and events, such as Paul Seixas, who finished 15th in the World Championships, and various cycling and sports-related news. The award has long been a topic of discussion and controversy, with debates around its criteria and the influence of media and marketing on the outcome. This year's race has highlighted not only the prominence of football players but also the broader reach of the award in the sports world. As the voting closes and the final decision approaches, the focus remains on whether the award will continue to reflect the best player or be swayed by external factors.