Suspicious Polymarket bets predicting Ballon d'Or top five under investigation

Summary

Organiser France Football is investigating a series of suspicious bets that correctly predicted the exact top-five men's finishing order of this year's Ballon d'Or, and has contacted the police. It is alleged that 12 Polymarket accounts placed the bets, with more than $264,000 wagered before Monday's ceremony, generating almost $200,000 (£149,000) in winnings. The accuracy has raised questions about a possible leak of confidential results. Harry Kane won the award at the London Palladium, ahead of Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Lionel Messi, which was the same order predicted by the accounts, according to an investigation by French outlet Upside.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   30 Oct 2026, 21:12 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that France Football is investigating suspicious bets, placed through 12 Polymarket accounts, that correctly predicted the exact top-five Ballon d'Or order, and has contacted the police.