October 25
Ballon d’Or shrouded in secrecy since 2024
Speculation continues to mount regarding the winner of the 2026 Ballon d’Or ahead of the ceremony scheduled for tomorrow, Monday evening, in London. The competition features contenders such as Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, and Harry Kane, alongside Ousmane Dembélé, who is looking to retain the award.
According to French media outlets, only a very small number of people know the identity of the winner. Since 2024, the practice of informing players of the voting results in advance has been discontinued to ensure the winner’s name remains a secret until the moment of the official announcement.
Recent comments by Mbappé regarding his ambition to win the Ballon d’Or have raised questions about whether his media campaign might influence the voters. However, Pascal Ferré, the former head of the award, questioned the impact of such statements, noting that the decision rests with the journalists who cast the votes, not the general public.
At present, only about five people are privy to the big news, according to Ferré, who added: "How do we keep the winner’s identity hidden? I believe a well-kept secret is one shared with as few people as possible. Beyond that, there are little tricks and simple methods."
He continued: "My approach used to be to let fake rankings circulate within the *France Football* editorial office to fuel social media—it always amused me. Right now, there shouldn’t be more than five people who know the winner’s name." "He doesn't deserve it"
For his part, Jérôme Rothen, an analyst for RMC, believes that Mbappé does not deserve the award. He points out that the lack of team trophies is a significant drawback, despite the Real Madrid player's impressive goal-scoring record.
Meanwhile, Harry Kane has drawn attention after scoring 73 goals last season—61 of which came for Bayern Munich—while Lamine Yamal has stood out for his performances with Barcelona, including 16 goals in La Liga during the 2025–2026 season, as well as his role in Spain’s World Cup victory, according to the report.
In recent days, the platform "X" (formerly Twitter) has seen the circulation of fake leaks claiming to reveal the rankings of the nominees. These include fabricated images of conversations, messages, and lists that place either Mbappé or Kane at the top.
A well-informed source dismissed these leaks as impossible, characterizing them as part of the typical speculation that precedes the announcement of the winner.
