The Ballon d’Or ceremony will be staged in London for the first time in 2026 as organisers celebrate the 70th anniversary of the award first handed to England legend Stanley Matthews in 1956.
Organisers confirmed earlier today, May 28, that the 2026 ceremony will take place on October 26, although the venue in the English capital has yet to be announced.
The Ballon d’Or remains the most prestigious individual prize in football and, for much of the modern era, has been shaped by the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele claimed the award in 2025 at the ceremony in Paris, organised by Groupe L’Equipe, owners of France Football magazine.
Messi still holds the record for the most Ballon d’Or titles, having lifted the trophy eight times in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023.
The Argentine’s grip on the award was most visible between 2009 and 2012 when he won four in a row, dazzling world football with his dribbling, creativity, passing range and relentless scoring touch.
Ronaldo sits next on the all-time list with five Ballon d’Or triumphs in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.
The Portuguese forward built his reputation on explosive athleticism, ruthless finishing and remarkable consistency across Europe’s biggest competitions.
Their rivalry defined an era. For more than a decade, Messi and Ronaldo pushed each other to extraordinary levels while rewriting football’s record books along the way.
