AFCON 2025
Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy made a stylish appearance at the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony on Monday evening in London.
The Grammy-winning artist arrived at the London Palladium, where the 70th edition of football’s most prestigious individual awards is being held for the first time outside France.
The ceremony, co-hosted by Thierry Henry and Kate Scott, marks a historic shift in venue to honour the 70th anniversary of the award and its first winner, English legend Stanley Matthews, in 1956. Red carpet arrivals began earlier in the evening, with football stars, coaches, and celebrities gathering ahead of the main awards presentation.
Burna Boy’s presence adds further global cultural weight to the night. The African Giant has enjoyed a landmark 2026, including performing at the FIFA World Cup final half-time show alongside Shakira. His collaboration with the Colombian star, “Dai Dai”, became one of the year’s biggest tracks and topped the Billboard Global chart.
Nigerian fans and observers have welcomed the appearance as another high-profile moment of soft power for the country, with many describing it as “Naija to the world”. Photos and clips of Burna Boy on the carpet quickly circulated online, drawing widespread attention alongside the football elite in attendance.
The evening’s main focus remains the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or awards, with Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal among the leading contenders for the men’s prize. The full list of winners is expected to be revealed during the ceremony.
