Lamine Yamal plans a private London arrival as Ballon d’Or hopes grow

Lamine Yamal will travel to London separately from Barcelona’s official delegation for Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, taking a private jet with family, friends and members of his agency team as he bids to win the world’s biggest individual football prize.

The Barcelona forward has booked a flight to the English capital and plans to celebrate with his inner circle if he is named the winner at the London Palladium. The ceremony will take place at the famous West End theatre, where France Football will present the award for the 70th time. It is also the third successive year the event has been staged in partnership with UEFA.

Yamal had arranged a major celebration in Paris last year, only to return home on the night of the ceremony after the award went to France and former Barcelona team-mate Ousmane Dembele. This time, the 18-year-old is understood to feel more confident of success and is preparing to mark the occasion with those closest to him.

Barcelona’s large presence in London

Although Yamal is making his own travel arrangements, he will be joined in London by a sizeable official Barcelona party led by club president Joan Laporta.

The Catalan club has a strong group of nominees across several categories, underlining its success this season. In the men’s awards, Pau Cubarsi is nominated alongside Rodri, who is described as the best player at the last World Cup.

Barcelona’s representation is even greater in the women’s categories. European champions Cata Coll, Esmee Brugts, Patri Guijarro, Caroline Graham Hansen, Claudia Pina and Ewa Pajor are all involved, while Alexia Putellas, now with London City Lionesses, is regarded as the leading contender for the main women’s prize.

Yamal is also considered the clear favourite to win the Kopa Trophy for the third consecutive year, ahead of team-mate Cubarsi, according to Mundo Deportivo. In the women’s equivalent, Barcelona’s Vicky Lopez is viewed as the strongest candidate, with Clara Serrajordi among those competing.

Joan Garcia and Cata Coll are both in contention for the best goalkeeper award. Pere Romeu is considered the leading candidate for the women’s coach of the year prize, while Barcelona are expected to receive the women’s club of the year award.

The ceremony will therefore feature two separate Barcelona groups: Yamal’s personal party, travelling independently in the hope of celebrating his biggest individual achievement, and the club’s official delegation, which includes nominees for a wide range of honours.