Barcelona name 23-member delegation for Ballon d’Or ceremony in London

Barcelona will travel to London on Monday with a 23-person delegation for the 70th Ballon d’Or awards ceremony, led by club president Joan Laporta and featuring the club’s nominees across the various categories.

The Catalan club’s football representatives include Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Rodri, Juan Garcia, Cata Coll, Esmee Brugts, Patri Guijarro, Caroline Graham Hansen, Claudia Pina, Ewa Pajor, Vicky Lopez, Clara Serrajordi and Pere Romeu.

Laporta will be joined by vice-presidents Rafa Yuste and Elena Fort, as well as board members Xavi Puig and Xavier Barbanyol.

Barcelona’s sporting department will be represented by Deco, Bojan Krkic, Alejandro Echevarria, Enric Masip and Marc Vives, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The ceremony will be staged in London for the first time, replacing its traditional setting in Paris. Organisers have selected the British capital as part of a tribute to Stanley Matthews, who won the inaugural Ballon d’Or in 1956.

Former Barcelona and Arsenal player Thierry Henry will co-host the event alongside British journalist Kate Scott. Both currently work on UEFA Champions League coverage for the American network CBS.

Organisers are aiming to make this year’s presentation a major event, with surprises and musical performances planned alongside the awards.