The Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London on Monday, marking a departure from previous years, when the event was held in Paris.
Among the leading contenders for this year’s prestigious award are England striker Harry Kane and Spanish talents Lamine Yamal and Rodri.
Kane, who is regarded as one of the main favourites to win the prestigious trophy, has chosen to distance himself from the speculation and avoid focusing on the possibility of claiming the award.
“I’m trying not to think about it, but of course it’s difficult. There’s a lot of talk going around, so I’m trying to stay as far away from it as possible. I’ll try to enjoy Monday evening as much as I can,” Kane said.
The 33-year-old striker has scored 73 goals for Bayern Munich and the England national team, an impressive tally. However, that might not be enough to secure the award, given the strong competition from Yamal and Rodri.
The Ballon d’Or winner is determined based on three main criteria: individual performances, team success and sporting conduct, including respect for the principles of fair play.
