Jaden Adams was remembered for his life and career at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday, 26 October at the London Palladium.

The former Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns player took his own life in July, weeks after the national team returned from the FIFA World Cup, hosted in Mexico, Canada and the US.

2026 BALLON D’OR BIGGEST WINNERS

The 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or ceremony took place at the London Palladium in England, marking the first time it was ever held outside of France. The venue honoured Sir Stanley Matthews, an English footballer who won the first Ballon d’Or in 1956.

The prestigious football awards recognise players whose performances have stood out over the past year.

The 2026 Ballo d’Or winners are as follows

England’s Harry Kane – Men’s Ballon d’Or (Best men’s player in the season)

Spain’s Alexia Putellas – Women’s Ballon d’Or (Best women’s player in the season)

Spain’s Lamine Yamal – Men’s Kopa Trophy (Young Talent of the Year)

England’s Bukayo Saka – Sócrates Award (Humanitarian work and social activism)

Kane’s first Ballon d’Or award marked England’s first win of the acclaimed prize in 2025 years. The Bayern Munich player became one of the oldest players at 33 to win the title.

Other notable players in the Top 10 included, 

2 Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid

3 Lamine Yamal – Barcelona

4 Rodri – Manchester City / Barcelona

5 Lionel Messi – Inter Miami

6 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Paris Saint-Germain

7 Ousmane Dembélé – Paris Saint-Germain

8 Erling Haaland – Manchester City

9 Michael Olise – Bayern Munich

10 Fabián Ruiz – Paris Saint-Germain

JAYDEN ADAMS REMEMBERED DURING TRIBUTE SECTION

Jayden Adams was among several late soccer stars who were remembered during a tribute segment at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Others included the late Italian football legend Franco Baresi and former Ballon d’Or winner Kevin Keegan.

The tribute acknowledged Adams’s untimely death and his place in football.

Watch the clip below…

@im_nkululekombatha @Mamelodi Sundowns #mamelodisundowns #Kaizerchiefs #OrlandoPirates #AmaZulu #football ♬ original sound – Im_nkululekombatha