Bola de Ouro race heats up as El Clásico hosts seven nominees
As the Bola de Ouro ceremony looms, the El Clásico on Sunday adds another layer of drama, with seven of the season’s top players from Real Madrid and Barcelona already shortlisted for football’s most coveted individual award. They will hope to turn the high‑profile clash into a showcase for their personal bids.
Barcelona's trio of nominees
Lamine Yamal, the 19‑year‑old Barcelona prodigy, recorded 25 goals and 20 assists in 57 matches last season, adding a La Liga title, a Supercopa and a World Cup to his résumé, though he managed only one goal in eight World Cup games and finished second in the 2025 Bola de Ouro voting. Fellow 19‑year‑old Pau Cubarsí started for both Barcelona and Spain, appearing in 62 matches and sharing the La Liga and Supercopa triumphs, while also being named the best young player at the World Cup. The third Catalan nominee, Rodri, returned from Manchester City after winning the FA Cup and the League Cup, and was voted the World Cup’s best player as Spain secured a second consecutive title, prompting hopes of a repeat of his 2024 Bola de Ouro win.
Real Madrid's quartet of contenders
Jude Bellingham entered the list after 52 appearances yielded 15 goals and six assists, though he collected no club silverware; his World Cup performance for England – seven goals and an assist in eight games – helped the Three Lions finish third. Left‑back Marc Cucurella, signed this season, did not win trophies with Chelsea but featured prominently in Spain’s defensive record at the World Cup, where the team conceded only one goal. Kylian Mbappé, despite a title‑less campaign, posted an eye‑catching 58 goals and 13 assists from 60 matches and finished as the World Cup’s top scorer with ten goals, taking his career tally to 22 World Cup goals. Vinicius Jr., who logged 28 goals and 13 assists in 65 outings and contributed four goals and an assist in Brazil’s World Cup run, will miss the El Clásico through suspension.
Ballon d’Or ceremony details
The 2026 Bola de Ouro ceremony is scheduled for Monday 26 October at the London Palladium Theatre in London, England, with the broadcast set for 17:00 Brasília time.
Steve McManaman backs Mbappe over Lamine Yamal ahead of Ballon d’Or
Gazeta Esportiva promotes the story across its platforms – the Canal da Gazeta Esportiva on YouTube, a call to Siga a Gazeta Esportiva on Instagram, and a WhatsApp channel for fans – while Mundo highlights the upcoming showdown.
The match itself pits Barcelona against Real Madrid in La Liga round ten on 25 October 2026, kicking off at 17:00 Brasília time at the Camp Nou in Barcelona.
With the world’s most prestigious individual award hanging in the balance, the El Clásico offers a rare stage for the seven nominees to amplify their Bola de Ouro bids, turning a historic rivalry into a personal battleground for football’s elite.