Mumbai, October 31, 2026: In a special moment for Indian football, 11-year-old Riaan Ghodawat has reportedly become the first Indian to attend the prestigious Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony, held in London on October 26.
A young footballer and member of the Real Madrid Academy India, Riaan got the opportunity to witness one of the biggest celebrations in world football, bringing him closer to the players and personalities he has admired while pursuing his own football ambitions.
His visit has attracted attention because of his growing international exposure and his dream of playing professional football for one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Who Is Riaan Ghodawat?
Riaan Ghodawat is an 11-year-old Indian footballer associated with the Real Madrid Academy India. Despite his young age, he has already participated in international football training programmes and competitions.
His football journey has included:
- Training camps organised by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
- Training exposure with West Ham United in London.
- Participation in the Real Madrid World Championship in Madrid.
- Competition at the Singa Cup in Singapore.
- A visit to Barcelona to watch the famous El Clásico between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
According to the report, Riaan has also attracted interest from football clubs in the United Kingdom and received offers to join them.
Riaan Ghodawat Attends Ballon d’Or 2026 in London
On October 26, 2026, Riaan attended the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London, where football’s leading personalities and achievements were celebrated.
For the young footballer, the experience was about more than attending a glamorous sporting event. It gave him an opportunity to see the football world he hopes to become part of in the future.
Speaking about the experience, Riaan said that he was extremely excited when he learned he would attend the ceremony. Seeing players he had previously watched on television in person motivated him to work harder towards his football goals.
Riaan Dreams of Playing for Real Madrid or FC Barcelona
Riaan has ambitious goals for his football career. He hopes to represent either Real Madrid or FC Barcelona as a professional player one day.
His Ballon d’Or experience has added another milestone to that ambition. He wants to return to the ceremony in the future, not simply as a guest but as a footballer being recognised for his achievements. For now, his focus remains on regular training, learning the game and improving his performance on the pitch.
A Young Indian Footballer Getting International Exposure
Riaan Ghodawat’s appearance at the Ballon d’Or ceremony highlights the international exposure he has gained at an early stage of his football journey.
From training programmes with international clubs to competitions in Madrid and Singapore, his experiences have taken him beyond the usual academy environment. While his professional football journey is still at an early stage, attending the Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony is a memorable milestone for the young Indian footballer.
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