New Delhi: Eleven-year-old Riaan Ghodawat from India achieved a remarkable feat by attending the prestigious Ballon d'Or ceremony in London on October 26, 2026. This makes him one of the youngest Indians, and possibly the first, to witness the football world's most celebrated event firsthand, meeting the sport's biggest stars.

A member of the Real Madrid Academy India, Riaan's journey in football has already seen him gain international exposure. He has trained with Paris Saint-Germain and West Ham United in London, competed in the Real Madrid World Championship in Madrid and the Singa Cup in Singapore, and even attended El Clásico in Barcelona. His talent has garnered interest from UK clubs, with offers to join their ranks.

Attending the Ballon d'Or offered Riaan a unique perspective beyond the training ground. "When I found out I was going to the Ballon d’Or, I could not stop smiling," Riaan shared. "Being in the same room as them was something I had never imagined. It made me want to work even harder at my football."

Riaan's ambition is clear: to play for FC Barcelona or Real Madrid. He now hopes to return to the Ballon d'Or not as an attendee, but as a celebrated player. "I want to play for FC Barcelona or Real Madrid and return to the Ballon d’Or as a player," he affirmed. "For now, I know I have a lot to learn, and I want to keep training and getting better." This experience is a significant milestone in his promising football career.

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