Lamin Yamal Prepares for Ballon d'Or Ceremony with Private Jet

Spanish Barcelona star Lamin Yamal has begun preparations to attend the 2026 Ballon d'Or awards 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 a private plane for his inner circle, while the Barcelona delegation, including nominated players, will travel on a separate aircraft. This comes as Yamal is nominated for the Ballon d'Or following an outstanding season with Barcelona and the Spanish national team, helping secure the La Liga title with 16 goals and 11 assists during the 2025-2026 season, earning him the best player award. He also played a key role in Spain's 2026 World Cup victory, boosting his chances for the prestigious individual football award. The final list announced by "France Football" includes 30 contenders, among them English striker Harry Kane, French star Kylian Mbappé, and defending champion Ousmane Dembélé. The ceremony is set to take place at the London Palladium in the British capital, marking the 70th edition of the award presented by "France Football" in partnership with UEFA, with great anticipation surrounding the announcement of the winner.