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Explained: How the Ballon d'Or Winner is Decided and Who Votes
Sentiment: NeutralHigh Priority
What Happened?
The 2026 Ballon d'Or, set to be announced soon, features a close race among Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe, and Harry Kane. This year's ceremony marks the first time it will be held outside France.
Key points
- The 2026 Ballon d'Or will be announced in a ceremony at London's Palladium.
- This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d'Or.
- The winner is decided by a jury of sports journalists from 100 countries.
- Each voter ranks 10 players from a shortlist of 30.
- Points are awarded based on ranking: 1st gets 15 points, 2nd gets 12, down to 10th which gets 1 point.
- In case of a tie, the player with the most first-place votes wins.
Key insights
- The decision to hold the ceremony in London reflects a shift in tradition for the prestigious award.
- The close race this year highlights the competitive nature of modern football.
- The voting process involves a diverse group of international journalists, ensuring a broad perspective.
Why it matters
The Ballon d'Or ceremony is significant as it celebrates the achievements of top football players globally.
Source
Times Now
