Yamal hires private jet to take family to Ballon d'Or in London
- Lamine Yamal has reportedly chartered a private jet to fly to Monday's Ballon d'Or ceremony in London.
- The 19-year-old will travel with family and close friends instead of Barcelona's official delegation.
- He finished second in last year's vote and won the Kopa Trophy for best young player.
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has reportedly chartered a private jet to take him to Monday's Ballon d'Or ceremony in London, with family members and close friends on board.
The 19-year-old Spain international chose not to travel with Barcelona's official delegation, according to Spanish journalist Víctor Navarro, whose report was carried by several outlets. The arrangement means the people closest to him can share the night.
The Ballon d'Or is football's biggest individual prize, and Yamal is one of the names expected to draw the most attention at the gala. He is in contention again after finishing second in the previous vote.
Second shot after Paris
At last year's ceremony in Paris, the award went to Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé. Yamal still left with the Kopa Trophy, given to the best young player.
Reports at the time said he had planned a celebration with family and friends in anticipation of winning the main prize. That night did not go his way.
His form for Barcelona and Spain since then has kept him among the leading candidates. Legit.ng reported that the field includes Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Rodri and Lionel Messi, and that Neymar has backed Yamal for the award.
The same report noted Kane's 61 goals for Bayern Munich and six at the World Cup, and said Yamal could become the youngest winner if he takes the prize.
What happens next
The 2026 Ballon d'Or result will be revealed at Monday's ceremony, 26 October. For Nigerian fans who follow the European game closely, it is the night the year's best player is settled — and the private jet is simply Yamal making sure his family is in the room if his name is called.
