Lamine Yamal flies by jet to London for the Ballon d'Or Gala
A private jet takes off mid‑morning with Lamine Yamal, his parents and his brother on board, heading to London to attend the Ballon d’Or Gala that will be held at 9 p.m. at the London Palladium Theatre. The family of the blaugrana prodigy travels accompanied by his representation team, ready for a decisive night.
A thwarted party in Paris
Section chief Ferran Martínez had organized a party in Paris last year in case Yamal won the Ballon d’Or, but the celebration was cut short when, after the Gala, he had to return that same night to the Théâtre du Châtelet. The reason was that the award went to Ousmane Dembélé, who took the prize unexpectedly.
Thus, the Parisian night turned into a hurried return to the Théâtre du Châtelet, leaving the Yamal family without the planned celebration.
Preparations for the 70th edition
This edition is the 70th delivery of the award that the magazine France Football has been presenting for three years under the aegis of UEFA. Lamine Yamal believes his chances are greater and has stated that he will spare no effort if he can celebrate his selection as the best in the world together with his family.
The young forward trusts that his performance will allow him to go head‑to‑head with the most prominent nominees.
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The private flight will depart mid‑morning and land in London, where the Ballon d’Or Gala will take place at the iconic London Palladium Theatre in the West End at 9 p.m., according to the Movistar + broadcast.
Barça will send a large delegation, with president Joan Laporta at the head of the expedition. The representation includes several club nominees for the various awards.
Among the candidates for the men’s Ballon d’Or are Pau Cubarsí and Rodri Hernández, MVP of the last World Cup, as well as the European champions Cata Coll, Esmee Brugts, Patri Guijarro, Caroline Graham Hansen, Claudia Pina and Ewa Pajor. In the women’s category, Alexia Putellas, now at the London City Lionesses, is the favourite.
Lamine Yamal is also a strong candidate to win the Best Talent award for a third time, surpassing Cubarsí. In the women’s category, Vicky López is shaping up as the favourite, according to reports, ahead of Clara Serrajordi.
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In other categories, the nominees for Best Goalkeeper include Joan Garcia and Cata Coll, while Pere Romeu is the favourite for the Best Women’s Football Coach award; Barça will take home the award for best club.
Yamal’s presence in London underscores his growing prominence on the international stage and reinforces his aspirations to become the best in the world.