Ballon d'Or site blunder names three winners

Just minutes before the kickoff of the 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony at the London Palladium, the official website published three articles claiming that Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé were winning the trophy, before the texts were quickly removed.

This blunder was described as a “huge slip‑up” by the Sports Football editorial team, which could have ended the suspense long before the awards ceremony. The mistake thus created massive confusion among internet users.

Official site error

The three posts alternately announced the victory of Lamine Yamal, then Harry Kane, then Kylian Mbappé. Each was presented as the definitive result of the vote.

The articles have since been removed from the site, but screenshots are widely circulating on social media. Internet users quickly spotted the blunder and turned it into a buzz.

Investigative journalist Romain Molina called the gaffe “shameful”. His comment was echoed in several specialist media outlets.

According to the Football editorial team, the Ballon d'Or favorites remain Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal. Their performance this season fuels predictions ahead of the ceremony.

The ceremony, which takes place at the prestigious London Palladium, marks the 70th edition of the award. It brings together the biggest names in world football.

This contrast between a premature announcement and the real suspense highlights the fragility of official communications. Organisers will need to strengthen their procedures before the next edition.