Police open investigation into 2026 Ballon d'Or betting

French police have opened an investigation into suspected insider trading after a series of bets correctly predicted the exact order of the top five in last month’s men’s Ballon d’Or.

England and Bayern Munich striker, Harry Kane, took the award home this year.

Kane finished ahead of Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Lionel Messi in that order.

This order was backed by 12 accounts on a prediction market.

At least €250,000 was wagered across the accounts, with profits of almost €200,000.

It is being claimed that the way the bettors managed their positions within the market also suggested potential insider trading.