Ballon d’Or 2026: Alexia Putellas Makes History as Football’s Biggest Awards Night Lights Up London
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony brought football’s biggest stars together in London on Monday, October 26, for the 70th edition of one of the sport’s most prestigious individual awards.
The ceremony, held at the London Palladium, celebrated outstanding performances across men’s and women’s football, recognising players, coaches, goalkeepers and clubs for their achievements over the past season.
Barcelona star Alexia Putellas claimed the Women’s Ballon d’Or for a third time, while several other major awards were handed out during the ceremony.
The men’s Ballon d’Or remained the headline prize for supporters waiting to discover which player would be crowned the world’s best for the season.
Alexia Putellas Wins Women’s Ballon d’Or for the Third Time
Alexia Putellas secured her third Women’s Ballon d’Or, adding another major achievement to an already remarkable career.
The Barcelona midfielder has established herself as one of the defining players of her generation. Her technical ability, creativity and influence in major matches have helped make her a leading figure in women’s football.
Winning the award for a third time further strengthens her place among the sport’s most decorated individual performers.
Her achievement was one of the biggest stories of the London ceremony, highlighting Barcelona’s continuing influence on the women’s game.
Who Won the Men’s Ballon d’Or 2026?
The men’s award attracted enormous attention, with several leading names included on the final shortlist.
Among the nominees were Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise and Vitinha.
The voting considers individual performances, decisive contributions, team achievements and sporting conduct over the relevant season.
In the latest live coverage available for this report, the men’s winner had not yet been announced. RickyMedia will update this article when the result is officially confirmed.
Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Mbappé Among the Main Contenders
Harry Kane entered the ceremony as one of the leading contenders after another productive season. The England captain has continued to attract attention for his goalscoring and contribution to Bayern Munich.
Lamine Yamal was another major name in the conversation. The Barcelona winger has already collected major individual honours at a young age and remains one of football’s most closely watched talents.
Kylian Mbappé was also among the nominees after continuing to deliver high-profile performances for club and country.
However, being a favourite or receiving strong support from pundits does not guarantee victory. The official result depends on the votes submitted by the award’s international journalist jury.
Lamine Yamal Wins Another Young Player Award
Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal won the men’s Young Talent of the Year award for a third consecutive year, according to the ceremony’s live coverage.
The achievement underlines his rapid rise and sustained impact at the highest level.
Yamal’s ability to take on defenders, create chances and influence matches has made him one of the most exciting young players in world football.
Winning the award again is a significant milestone, although the next stage of his career will be judged by how he continues to develop and perform over multiple seasons.
Vicky López also won the women’s Young Talent of the Year award for a second time.
Other Major Winners at the 2026 Ballon d’Or Ceremony
The ceremony recognised achievements beyond the two main Ballon d’Or prizes.
Among the winners reported during the event were:
- Women’s Ballon d’Or: Alexia Putellas
- Men’s Striker of the Year: Harry Kane
- Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Unai Simón
- Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Cata Coll
- Men’s Coach of the Year: Luis de la Fuente
- Women’s Coach of the Year: Pere Romeu
- Men’s Young Talent of the Year: Lamine Yamal
- Women’s Young Talent of the Year: Vicky López
- Men’s Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain
- Women’s Club of the Year: Barcelona
- Sócrates Award: Bukayo Saka
These honours highlight the wide range of contributions recognised at the event, from individual excellence and team success to humanitarian work.
Bukayo Saka Recognised for Charity Work
Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka received the Sócrates Award for the humanitarian work associated with his Big Shoe charity.
The award recognises footballers who make meaningful contributions to society beyond their performances on the pitch.
Saka’s recognition demonstrates that football’s biggest awards night is not solely about goals, trophies and statistics. It also provides an opportunity to celebrate players who use their influence to support communities and improve lives.
Why the Ballon d’Or Matters
The Ballon d’Or has been awarded since 1956 and remains one of football’s most recognised individual honours.
The selection process considers performances over a defined period, with voters assessing individual quality, decisive contributions, team achievements and fair play.
Winning the award can shape a player’s legacy and place their achievements in the historical record of the sport.
However, football supporters often disagree about the result because different players excel in different roles. Goalscorers, playmakers, defenders and goalkeepers contribute to success in different ways, making comparisons difficult.
RickyMedia Verdict
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony celebrated another season of outstanding football, with Alexia Putellas making history by winning the women’s award for a third time.
Lamine Yamal’s continued success among young players, Harry Kane’s striker honour and Bukayo Saka’s humanitarian recognition were also major talking points.
The remaining headline question for this report is the official men’s Ballon d’Or result. The latest live report available to RickyMedia had not yet confirmed the winner, so we will not guess or publish an unverified name.
Keep checking RickyMedia for the confirmed result and further reaction from football’s biggest awards night.
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