London hosted the 2026 Ballon d’Or gala last night, and MICFootball was once again present. Among the winners at the ceremony were players who took their first steps at the MIC, such as Lamine Yamal (Kopa Trophy for best young player) and Unai Simón (Best Goalkeeper of the Year award). The Catalan forward played in our tournament in 2019 and 2022 with FC Barcelona, while the Basque goalkeeper represented Athletic Club on the Costa Brava in 2012.
As for women’s football, we also celebrate the awards won by Alexia Putellas (women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time) and Cata Coll (Best Goalkeeper of the Year award), who were tournament ambassadors in 2018 and 2024, respectively.
Historically, MICFootball also counts to six legends of our sport who have won the highest individual honour at some point. Leo Messi and Rodrigo Hernández played in the MIC in 2003 and 2010, respectively, while Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas have also been crowned Ballon d’Or winners and have served as ambassadors of our competition.
History, and the path of tomorrow’s stars, starts here.
