Real Madrid sent a delegation to London for the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, with Kylian Mbappe travelling while Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham stayed in Madrid.
Inter captain Lautaro Martínez placed 22nd in the 2026 Ballon d’Or rankings, with the winner still due to be announced in London on 26 October.
The Independent released its Ballon d’Or 2026 power rankings before the 26 October ceremony in London, with Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi included.
A code in a Ballon d’Or ceremony advert has prompted online guesses about the winner before France Football’s event at the London Palladium Theatre.
Steve McManaman told 365Scores he expects Real Madrid to beat Barcelona 3-1 and said he would choose Kylian Mbappé over Lamine Yamal for the Ballon d’Or.
Planet Football said only five players made the Ballon d'Or top three while representing Liverpool, with Michael Owen among them as a winner.
Planet Football named nine modern football greats it said never finished in the Ballon d'Or top three, including Totti, Pirlo and Robben.
Bayern Munich host Arsenal on Wednesday at the Allianz Arena, with Serge Gnabry backing Harry Kane for the Ballon d'Or and Vincent Kompany a doubt.
