2026 Ballon d'Or: organisers announce the winner by mistake

There are only a few hours left before the identity of the 2026 Ballon d'Or winner is revealed. But the official Ballon d'Or website appears to have made a major blunder.

Several serious candidates for the title are expected at the ceremony tonight. They are Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé. While the overall winner is still unknown, three articles were published, each announcing one of the winners as Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal or Kylian Mbappé.

“Kylian Mbappé wins the 2026 Ballon d’Or for his consistency at the highest level,” reads the article about the Frenchman, for example. The Spaniard and the Englishman also had articles published about them. The organisers had certainly logically prepared all three articles in advance so they could send out the correct one at the right time, depending on the winner. But they apparently published them by mistake.

Yamal would make history if he wins

This Monday evening, Lamine Yamal could write another chapter in football history. The FC Barcelona winger is in contention for the 2026 Ballon d’Or and the Kopa Trophy, which rewards the best young player in the world. He is among the leading favourites for both awards, a feat that would allow him to achieve an unprecedented double.

Read also: 2026 Ballon d'Or: the 70th ceremony in London, here is the reason behind it

In the entire history of the awards, no player has ever won the Ballon d’Or and the Kopa Trophy at the same ceremony. However, nothing in the regulations prohibits winning both awards simultaneously. At just 19 years old, Lamine Yamal could therefore add another prestigious line to his honours list and further etch his name into the history of world football.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.