Former Barcelona forward Gary Lineker has launched a scathing critique against the handlers of the Ballon d'Or awards, characterising the recent gala as a disorganised disaster. The remarks follow the announcement of the 2026 accolade, where Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane edged out Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé by a margin of 28 points to claim the prestigious prize.
Speaking on the podcast The Rest Is Football, Lineker expressed his astonishment at the logistical flaws of the ceremony held in London on Monday, noting that top contenders were given little indication of the final results prior to the public announcement.
What did Gary Lineker say about the ceremony?
Lineker highlighted the apparent oversight regarding Mbappé, who was seated prominently in the front row yet received minimal recognition throughout the proceedings.
"I assumed they might give them a little whisper, because when Kylian Mbappé turned up from Real Madrid, I was thinking, ‘Ooh, he must have been told here,’" Lineker stated.
He added, "I mean, the show was a bit of a shambles, to be honest. So many things were going wrong, and I felt for them on stage. They seemed to be more focused on the red carpet than actually the night."
The commentary underscores growing scrutiny regarding the production standards of high-profile football events, as analysts and former players continue to evaluate the shift in focus towards pre-show spectacles rather than the core awards presentation.