Blokhin misses Ballon d'Or ceremony due to cold, Belanov says
The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony took place in London on Monday, October 26, with Ukrainian winners Igor Belanov and Andriy Shevchenko in attendance. A third Ukrainian, Oleg Blokhin, cancelled his trip due to a cold, according to Belanov. Belanov expressed disappointment that Blokhin was absent, saying they hoped until the last moment he would join them. He noted that he and Shevchenko watched the event from the honorary guests' box alongside legends like Hristo Stoichkov, Lothar Matthäus, Gary Lineker, and Michael Owen. Belanov revealed his personal favourites were Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, but he was satisfied that Harry Kane won the award. Kane finished first, ahead of Mbappé in second, Yamal in third, Rodri in fourth, and Messi in fifth.