Nigeria, Oct. 26 -- For the first time since Victor Osimhen broke into the Ballon d'Or conversation in 2023, Nigeria will have no nominee to follow at football's most prestigious individual awards ceremony, as the 2026 edition takes centre stage in London on Monday.

The 70th Ballon d'Or gala will take place at the London Palladium, with proceedings scheduled to begin at 8pm local time, or 9 p.m. in Nigeria. Hosted by Kate Scott and French football legend Thierry Henry, the ceremony marks the first time the awards have been staged in London, moving away from their traditional Paris setting to celebrate the award's 70th anniversary.

For Nigerian football, however, the evening carries a different significance. There will be no Super Eagles...