The 70th Ballon d'Or Ceremony Set to Dazzle in London
The highly anticipated 70th edition of the Ballon d'Or is scheduled to take place this Monday, October 26, in London, with notable contenders such as Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, and Lamine Yamal in the running for the prestigious men's award. For fans in Morocco, the ceremony will kick off at 8 PM local time, promising an evening filled with suspense and celebration of football excellence.
The excitement will reach its peak as the red carpet is rolled out at 6 PM London time, equivalent to 7 PM in Morocco, allowing guests and players to arrive ahead of the award presentations. Among the accolades to be awarded are the Kopa Trophy and the Yachine Trophy, recognizing the best young player and the best goalkeeper, respectively. This year's event is particularly noteworthy as it is being held at the London Palladium, a fitting venue for such a prestigious occasion.
In the men's category, no single candidate stands out as the clear favorite. Harry Kane is coming off a remarkable season with Bayern Munich, where he scored an impressive total of 61 goals for the club. When adding his international tally, the English striker has netted 73 goals this season, making him a formidable contender.
Kylian Mbappé is also in the mix, having finished as the top scorer in La Liga with 25 goals and in the UEFA Champions League with 15 goals. However, his individual success may be challenged by the lack of major collective titles this season. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal aims to leverage his stellar performance with FC Barcelona, where he has contributed to significant team successes, hoping to clinch the award amidst fierce competition from other notable names like Lionel Messi, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Michael Olise.
Moroccan Representation at the Ballon d'Or 2026
Morocco will be proudly represented in three distinct categories during this 70th edition of the Ballon d'Or. Achraf Hakimi has been named among the 30 nominees for the men's Ballon d'Or after a stellar season with Paris Saint-Germain. The right-back and captain of the Atlas Lions will strive to stand out in a challenging field of competitors.
In addition, Yassine Bounou is in contention for the Yachine Trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper of the season, while the young midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who plays for Manchester City, is nominated for the Kopa Trophy, dedicated to the best young player. This recognition highlights Morocco's growing prominence in the world of football.
On the women's side, the race to succeed Aitana Bonmatí is equally competitive. The Spanish player, a triple consecutive winner, is unlikely to retain her title following a season marred by injuries. Alexia Putellas, who has previously won the award in 2021 and 2022, will be vying for her third Ballon d'Or against strong contenders such as Ewa Pajor, Claudia Pina, Melchie Dumornay, and Khadija Shaw.
For football enthusiasts in Morocco, the event is set for 8 PM local time. The ceremony will be broadcast live on DAZN, which offers the event for free after registration, as well as on La Chaîne L'Équipe. Fans can also access updates and results on the official Ballon d'Or website, making it an unmissable occasion for Moroccan football lovers.
As reported by h24info.ma.
