Overview
- The ceremony is set for Monday, Sept. 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, with reports indicating Ronaldinho will present the award.
- Barcelona will send Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Pau Cubarsi and coach Hansi Flick, while nominees Pedri and Robert Lewandowski are not expected to attend.
- Real Madrid will skip the event for a second straight year, and Kylian Mbappé said he will watch the broadcast instead of traveling.
- Flick said Yamal will win the Ballon d’Or one day and described attending the gala as a show of respect for the nominees.
- Pundit picks and power rankings increasingly favor Dembélé after a treble-winning season with 35 goals and 16 assists, with public backing from Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher.