Football's biggest individual night made its London debut after 70 years, but the glitz came with plenty of bumps along the way.
After seven decades of crowning football's finest, the Ballon d'Or finally made its way to London. A historic first for the award was always going to draw a global audience, and the build-up promised a night to remember.
It was memorable, though not entirely for the right reasons. Instead of a smooth, polished showcase, the evening was marked by awkward moments and a sense that things didn't quite go to plan, which got fans and pundits talking almost immediately.
For an award that prides itself on prestige, the contrast was hard to miss. The Ballon d'Or has long been football's ultimate individual honour, and a ceremony in a new city should have been a celebration of that legacy. Instead, the stumbles stole part of the spotlight.
The debate now is whether this was simply first-night teething trouble in a new setting or a sign that the show needs a rethink. Either way, London's turn at hosting will be remembered as one of the most talked-about editions in the award's 70-year history.
