NewsWPLG Local 10October 26, 2026Miami-Dade County
Ballon d'Or Ceremony Announces Nominees and Favorites in London
Photo: WPLG Local 10
The Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place on Monday, Oct. 26, in London to announce soccer's top individual award winners, featuring leading men's contenders Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Lionel Messi. A new winner is guaranteed for the women's award due to three-time reigning champion Aitana Bonmati's absence from the shortlist following a leg injury, positioning Alexia Putellas as the favorite.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10Why It Matters
The annual awards event recognizes the world's top soccer players based on individual and team performances across specific judging dates.
Key Facts
- The Ballon d'Or ceremony will be held at the London Palladium on Monday, Oct. 26, at 2000 GMT.
- Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Messi are the four main favorites among the 30-man shortlist for the men's award.
- Lionel Messi holds the record for the most Ballon d'Or wins with eight.
- Aitana Bonmati is not on the women's shortlist after breaking her leg in December, ensuring a new winner for the women's award.
- Alexia Putellas is the favorite to win the women's award for a third time.
- The voting panel consists of one journalist from each of FIFA’s top 100-ranked nations.
- Journalists rank 10 players from the 30 nominees, awarding 15 points for the top choice down to 1 point for the 10th choice.
- The official judging period for the awards runs from Aug. 3, 2025 to July 19, 2026.
- Additional awards presented at the ceremony include honors for young talent, goalkeepers, coaches, clubs, strikers, and the Socrates Award for solidarity initiatives.
Who's Mentioned
PersonCristiano Ronaldo“Historical Ballon d'Or winner with five titles”PersonKhadija Shaw“Leading contender for the women's award, Manchester City player”OrganizationReal Madrid“Soccer club for Kylian Mbappé”locationEngland“Country context and dateline origin”PersonJames Robson“Associated Press author of the article”OrganizationLondon City Lionesses“Soccer club for Alexia Putellas”OrganizationAssociated Press“News agency publishing the report”PersonMichel Platini“Historical three-time Ballon d'Or winner”PersonLionel Messi“Men's award contender and Inter Miami/Argentina player”PersonMarco van Basten“Historical three-time Ballon d'Or winner”OrganizationBayern Munich“Soccer club for Harry Kane”PersonKylian Mbappé“Men's award contender and Real Madrid/France player”OrganizationBarcelona“Soccer club associated with multiple players”PersonClaudia Pina“Leading contender for the women's award, Barcelona player”PersonOusmane Dembélé“Winner of the men's award last year”PersonJohan Cruyff“Historical three-time Ballon d'Or winner”OrganizationFIFA“Governing body whose top 100-ranked nations provide voting journalists”PersonLamine Yamal“Men's award contender and Spain/Barcelona player”PersonAitana Bonmati“Previous women's award winner, absent due to injury”locationManchester“Dateline location for the article”PersonHarry Kane“Men's award contender and Bayern Munich/England player”OrganizationManchester City“Soccer club for Khadija Shaw”PersonAlexia Putellas“Favorite for the women's award and London City Lionesses player”OrganizationInter Miami“Soccer club for Lionel Messi”locationLondon Palladium“Venue for the Ballon d'Or ceremony”