Euro Leagues

What the report says

BBC Sport Football’s "Euro Leagues" podcast episode, published on 29 October 2026, centered on debate over the Ballon d’Or and related European football reaction. The hosts — Maz Farookhi, Guillem Balague and Julien Laurens, with German expert Rafa Honigstein — discussed whether Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya had been unfairly overlooked for the Yashin Trophy, which went to Athletic Bilbao and Spain’s Unai Simon, and whether the World Cup has become a deciding factor in such awards.

A major talking point was Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or win and how it has been received across the continent. The programme also asked whether Spanish observers were disappointed that Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal did not win, and examined Bayern Munich’s response. The episode did not present these as settled conclusions, but as live questions reflecting differing views in European media and fan bases.

Beyond the awards debate, the podcast moved on to Real Madrid’s El Clasico victory, a preview of the Milan derby, and a segment on Kylian Mbappe apologising to China. It also touched on Lazio’s strong form and Dirk Kuyt’s return to Liverpool in his new role as interim head coach of Fenerbahce, using those stories to provide broader context on the week in European football.