The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or has intensified friction off the pitch as Paris Saint-Germain expressed displeasure with France Football following a recent multi-player feature, according to reports in the French media. With the winner of football’s most prestigious individual prize set to be announced on October 26 in London, European clubs have aggressively stepped up campaigns and public backing for their respective stars.
Club Campains and Media Scrutiny
The battle for the 2026 Ballon d’Or features several prominent contenders backed heavily by their employers. Real Madrid stands firmly behind Kylian Mbappé, while Barcelona champions Lamine Yamal. Bayern Munich backs forward Harry Kane, and Paris Saint-Germain throws its weight behind the attacking duo of Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
As the ceremony approaches, tensions have risen over how media outlets cover individual candidates. Certain clubs have voiced criticism regarding perceived imbalances in media attention and platform space allocated to different players during the buildup.
The France Football Interview Fallout
Against this backdrop of heightened competition, Paris Saint-Germain permitted France Football—the magazine that administers the Ballon d’Or—to conduct interviews with a trio of PSG players: Fabián Ruiz, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Ousmane Dembélé. The interviews formed part of the publication’s special coverage surrounding the award contenders.
According to reports from Foot Mercato citing the French newspaper Le Parisien, leadership at the Parisian club grew dissatisfied after the edition was published. Club officials discovered that Kylian Mbappé, now playing for Real Madrid, received the most prominent coverage within the magazine’s content despite PSG granting access to three of its own squad members.
Road to the October 26 Ceremony in London
The editorial choice generated internal frustration at Paris Saint-Germain, prompting direct criticism toward France Football. The dispute highlights the fierce lobbying surrounding the award as Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia vie for recognition against Mbappé and other global nominees.
The winner of the 2026 Ballon d’Or will be officially announced on October 26 in London, bringing an end to months of intense campaigning and mounting pressure from clubs across Europe.
