On the red carpet!

The proud family of Sir Stanley Matthews were special guests at the 2026 Ballon d'Or. The Stoke City legend was the first-ever recipient of the Ballon d'Or in 1956.

Sir Stan received the honour two months before his 42nd birthday - three years after inspiring Blackpool to FA Cup success in ‘the Matthews final’. He beat Real Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano by three votes to claim the inaugural European Footballer of the Year prize. He passed away in 2000.

His family were at Palladium Theatre, in London, last night to see Harry Kane become the fifth Englishmen to win the Ballon d'Or.

Pictures from the red carpet show Sir Stan's daughter Jean Gough and Sir Stan's son Stanley Matthews Junior posing for pictures. Granddaughters Mandy Bray and Samantha Davis were also present for the big night.