Barcelona to send three first-team stars to London for Ballon d’Or ceremony as Cubarsi’s absence raises questions

Barcelona to send three first-team stars to London for Ballon d’Or ceremony as Cubarsi’s absence raises questionsBarcelona are preparing to travel to London for the Ballon d’Or gala, with Lamine Yamal, Rodri Hernandez and Joan Garcia among the first-team players included on the club’s planned delegation. As per SPORT, the group is scheduled to depart from the corporate terminal at El Prat airport at 12:15 p.m. on Monday, ahead of the ceremony at The London Palladium.The event marks the 70th edition of the prestigious awards and will be held outside Paris for the first time. Barcelona will have several reasons to follow the ceremony closely, with Yamal competing for two individual honours and Garcia in contention for the award recognising the world’s best goalkeeper.Lamine Yamal targets another Kopa Trophy and Ballon d’Or successYamal is among the leading names to watch at the ceremony, having been nominated for both the Ballon d’Or and the Kopa Trophy, which recognises the best young player in men’s football.The Barcelona winger could win the Kopa Trophy for the third consecutive year after claiming the award in 2024 and 2025. Lamine Yamal is a favourite to win the Ballon d’Or. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)His Ballon d’Or nomination also places him among the leading contenders for the sport’s most prestigious individual prize. Rodri and Joan Garcia nominated for major individual awardsRodri will also represent Barcelona at the ceremony, having been included among the 30 Ballon d’Or contenders. The midfielder won the award in 2024 while playing for Manchester City and is back among the nominees following his move to Barcelona.Joan Garcia, meanwhile, is in contention for the Yashin Trophy, which recognises the best goalkeeper in men’s football. The shot-stopper earned his nomination after winning the Zamora Trophy in his first season as a Barcelona player, giving him an opportunity to receive recognition on the international stage.Cubarsi will not travel with the Barcelona delegates. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)The three players offer Barcelona representation across the main individual awards, the young-player category and the goalkeeper prize.Pau Cubarsí’s absence leaves a questionOne notable omission from the planned travel list is Pau Cubarsi, who has been nominated for both the Ballon d’Or and the Kopa Trophy. His absence could change if the club updates its arrangements before departure, but no last-minute inclusion has been confirmed in the information available.Barcelona’s delegation will therefore be worth monitoring as the ceremony approaches. With Yamal chasing another Kopa Trophy, Rodri seeking further Ballon d’Or recognition and Garcia competing for the Yashin Trophy, the London event could prove an important night for the club’s individual award hopefuls.