Yamal's pink Chanel brooch and García's Di Morabito dress lead Ballon d'Or red carpet

The gala and its winners

The Ballon d'Or 2026 ceremony was held at the London Palladium on Monday, 26 October. It was the first edition staged outside Paris and the 70th of the award. Harry Kane took the main prize, and El Periódico reports that Alexia Putellas won her third Ballon d'Or. Lamine Yamal received the award for best young male talent. Before the ceremony, the red carpet drew attention from fashion-focused outlets, with reports describing Chanel, Dior and made-to-measure designs.

Yamal's look

Yamal, who is 19 and plays for Barcelona, wore a black suit with wide-leg trousers, a short jacket with satin lapels and a single gold button. He paired it with a shirt and a matching bow tie. The focal point was a large floral brooch by Chanel, made of pink-powder feathers, pinned to the lapel. Pedro Pascal wore a white version of the same piece at the 2026 Oscars. His stylist, Pili Vila, the sister of Rosalía, is credited with the choice. A Richard Mille RM 67-01 watch in rose gold completed the outfit, a model he had debuted a few weeks earlier.

Inés García's dress

His partner, the content creator Inés García, wore a black dress made to measure by Giuseppe Di Morabito. It had a fitted silhouette, a round neckline, structured shoulders and long sleeves that ended in integrated gloves. The floor-length skirt was straight and fluid. She completed the look with Repossi jewellery and Christian Louboutin shoes, and wore her long hair loose with a centre parting. Her makeup was by Alba Moya for YSL Beauty, with a fresh, natural pink lip. La Razón, citing Vanitatis, reports that she and her new representation team had spent weeks preparing the appearance as part of a push for wider international exposure. She has left In Management, the agency linked to Dulceida, and now works with +3458 Department, a firm founded by Fabrizzio Scaccia.

Family, rivals and reactions

Yamal attended with his family, including his parents, Mounir Nasraoui and Sheila Ebana, and his 4-year-old brother, whose black suit and bow tie drew attention in front of the cameras. His father's presence was seen as a rebuttal of rumours of a rift between them. Kylian Mbappé was pictured seated after learning he had not won the award, which went to Kane. Ester Expósito did not attend the gala with Mbappé, although many had expected her to make an official appearance with him.

On the LaSexta programme Aruser@s, Alfonso Arús said Yamal and Mbappé had sold themselves heavily in the lead-up to the award, adding that he had never seen a player do so as much as these two. Panellist Angie Cárdenas voiced concern about the boy's media exposure.

“I hope they explain things to this child properly, because I think he is completely overwhelmed.”

Cárdenas's remark came after the 4-year-old's appearance drew widespread comment on the programme.