Sports
Spanish Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has begun his preparations to attend the 2026 Ballon d'Or award ceremony by chartering a private jet to transport his family and close associates to London. Sports journalist Victor Navarro revealed on the platform "X" that Yamal arranged this private plane specifically for his family and close circle to attend the ceremony scheduled for next Monday. Meanwhile, the Barcelona delegation will travel on a separate private jet carrying the players nominated for the evening's awards. This move comes as Yamal is shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or following an outstanding season with both his club and the Spanish national team. He played a key role in securing the La Liga title for Barcelona, scoring 16 goals and providing 11 assists during the competition, earning the best player award for the 2025-2026 season. Additionally, Yamal was instrumental in Spain's journey at the 2026 World Cup, which culminated in the national team winning the championship, further boosting his chances for the prestigious individual football award. The final list announced by "France Football" magazine includes 30 players competing for the Ballon d'Or, featuring notable names such as English striker Harry Kane of Bayern Munich, French star Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid, and French holder of the award Ousmane Dembele. The ceremony is set to take place at the London Palladium theater in the British capital, marking the 70th edition of the award presented by "France Football" in collaboration with UEFA, amid great anticipation for the final results and the identity of the winner.
