Lamine Yamal to travel separately from Barcelona delegation for Ballon d’Or ceremony

Lamine Yamal will fly to London on a private jet with family, friends and members of his agency rather than travelling with Barcelona’s official delegation for Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony.

The Barcelona forward has arranged the flight for the morning of Monday, when he will head to the English capital with his close circle. They are planning to celebrate together if Yamal wins the award for the world’s best player.

The ceremony will take place at the London Palladium in the West End. France Football will present the prize for the 70th time, with the event being held in partnership with UEFA for a third successive year.

Yamal had prepared a major celebration in Paris last year, but those plans were abandoned after Ousmane Dembele won the award at the Theatre du Chatelet. Yamal returned home on the same night.

This time, the Barcelona player believes he has a stronger chance of success and is determined to make the most of the occasion, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Barcelona to send large delegation

Although Yamal will make the journey independently, he will still be joined in London by a sizeable official Barcelona party led by club president Joan Laporta.

The Catalan club has a large number of nominees across the various Ballon d’Or categories, underlining their success this season.

In the men’s awards, Pau Cubarsi and Rodri are among the candidates, with Rodri recognised as the best player at the last World Cup.

Barcelona’s women’s representatives include European champions Cata Coll, Esmee Brugts, Patri Guijarro, Caroline Graham Hansen, Claudia Pina and Eva Pajor. Alexia Putellas, currently a star of London City Lionesses, is regarded as the leading contender for the women’s main prize.

Yamal favourite for third Kopa award

Away from the main award, Yamal is considered the clear favourite to win the Kopa Trophy for the third consecutive year. Mundo Deportivo reports that he is expected to finish ahead of Barcelona team-mate Pau Cubarsi.

In the women’s category, Vicky Lopez is viewed as the strongest candidate for the equivalent award, with Clara Serrajordi also in contention.

Barcelona players are also competing for other honours. Joan Garcia and Cata Coll are nominees for the best goalkeeper award, while Pere Romeu is considered the leading contender for the women’s coach of the year prize.

Barcelona are also expected to receive the award for the best women’s club in the world.