Ballon d'Or Ceremony Relocates to London for 70th Anniversary The prestigious Ballon d'Or awards ceremony, which honors the best men's and women's players in global soccer, will be held in London for the first time in its 70-year history. The event, scheduled for October 26, will mark the anniversary of the first award, which was presented to England legend Stanley Matthews in 1956. Organizers France Football magazine and UEFA announced the venue change on Thursday, highlighting London’s significance in the sport’s history. London’s connection to the ceremony extends beyond its historical ties. The city is home to England’s all-time leading scorer, Harry Kane, whose standout season with Bayern Munich has drawn widespread attention. Kane scored a career-high 61 goals in 51 matches, including 14 in the Champions League, where Bayern was narrowly defeated by Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals. Additionally, Kane contributed five goals for England during World Cup qualifying matches. The ceremony coincides with Arsenal’s historic Champions League clash against PSG, marking the Gunners’ first appearance in the competition’s final. Ousmane Dembélé, the 2023 men’s Ballon d'Or winner, will be among the nominees this year. The French forward, who secured his award after PSG claimed its first Champions League title, has had a mixed season with the Ligue 1 champions. He registered 19 goals in 39 games for PSG, starting only 11 matches in the league campaign. Dembélé’s impact was evident in the Champions League, where he scored seven goals, including a crucial strike against Bayern Munich in the semifinals. However, his season was disrupted by injuries, as he missed five of France’s six World Cup qualifying matches.#harry_kane #paris_saint_germain #uefa #ballon_d_or_ceremony #france_football_magazine
