Anthony Gordon has delivered his verdict on the heated race for the Ballon d'Or, identifying Barcelona teammate Lamine Yamal and England captain Harry Kane as the two primary frontrunners for football's most prestigious individual accolade. The winger, who recently completed a high-profile move to the Catalan giants, believes both players have put forward historic cases to be crowned the world's best.
Bayern Munich winger Luis Diaz has thrown his full support behind team-mate Harry Kane to lift the 2026 Ballon d'Or in London next month. The Colombian international admitted to being thoroughly "dazzled" by the England captain's elite mentality in training, following a historic 73-goal haul across club and country during a trophy-laden season.
Alexis Mac Allister has thrown his weight behind Lionel Messi to add yet another Ballon d'Or to his record-breaking trophy cabinet. While the Liverpool midfielder prepares for a new era with Argentina, he insists that the Inter Miami superstar remains the standard-bearer for world football despite his advancing years.
Cristian Romero has thrown his weight behind Lionel Messi to add another Ballon d'Or to his record-breaking collection, insisting his compatriot remains the best player on the planet. The defender also aimed a dig at the award's selection process, suggesting that commercial appeal often outweighs sporting merit in the modern game.
Sevilla boss Luis Garcia pulled no punches following Saturday's defeat, branding Raphinha's Ballon d'Or snub an absolute joke. The Brazilian forward maintained his dazzling form by firing home a sublime hat-trick to seal a 3-1 victory for Barcelona at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, taking his sensational tally for the campaign to 14 strikes in all competitions.
Harry Kane has refused to be drawn into a war of words with Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal despite the teenager seemingly aiming a dig at the England captain’s Ballon d'Or credentials. The prolific Bayern Munich striker chose the high road after his latest Bundesliga landmark, opting to praise the Spanish youngster rather than retaliate to claims that goal tallies shouldn't decide football's biggest individual prize.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham has thrown his weight behind Lionel Messi to land yet another Ballon d'Or title after the legendary forward reached a century of goals for the MLS outfit. The former England captain believes Messi's continued excellence at the age of 39, combined with his talismanic performances on the world stage, makes him the standout candidate for football's most prestigious individual accolade.
Super-agent Jorge Mendes has claimed that Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is "by far" the best player in the world. The Portuguese representative believes the teenager is the only logical choice for the 2026 Ballon d'Or following his historic exploits for club and country.
Kylian Mbappe has reportedly alienated several of his France team-mates following his controversial public remarks regarding the Ballon d'Or. Ousmane Dembele is said to be particularly furious, viewing the comments as a betrayal, which has led to a tense atmosphere and the formation of two separate factions within the national team dressing room ahead of their upcoming fixtures.
Paris Saint-Germain star Fabian Ruiz is firmly convinced his unprecedented trophy haul makes him a prime candidate for the Ballon d'Or. After lifting both the World Cup with Spain and the Champions League with his club, the midfielder feels his historic achievements are simply unrivalled, pointing to recent precedents as proof he can claim the ultimate prize.
Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, insisting he deserves to be crowned the best player on the planet. The 19-year-old superstar believes he and Kylian Mbappe currently stand alone at the top of the game, following a trophy-laden season for club and country.
Saudi Pro League stars Sadio Mane and Julian Quinones have earned landmark nominations for the 2026 Ballon d'Or following superb domestic and international campaigns. The Al-Nassr and Al-Qadsiah forward duo lead a strong RSL contingent recognised by France Football, with goalkeepers Yassine Bounou and Edouard Mendy also shortlisted for the Yashin Trophy.
Michael Olise has openly disagreed with Thierry Henry's recent comments regarding the best player in world football. While the France legend claimed Olise outperformed his team-mate last year, the Bayern Munich winger firmly rejected that notion, throwing his full support behind Harry Kane to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or ahead of Kylian Mbappé after a sensational campaign.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has boldly claimed that Lamine Yamal deserves to win the Ballon d'Or following his record-breaking performance in the Champions League. The teenage sensation was the catalyst as the Catalan giants dismantled Feyenoord 5-1 to open their European campaign in emphatic fashion.
With the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly presumably disappearing into the rearview mirror, the battle for the Ballon d'Or hasn't felt so open for the best part of 20 years, with countless players now beginning each campaign believing they have a chance of claiming the most prestigious individual prize football has to offer. Ousmane Dembele emerged from a career plagued by injuries and inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he is among a crowded field of contenders again in 2026.
France Football has officially revealed the shortlist for the 2026 Men's and Women's Coach of the Year awards, highlighting the tactical masterminds who defined the last season. The nominations for the Johan Cruyff Trophy are heavily dominated by Spanish talent, reflecting a golden era for the nation’s coaching exports across Europe’s top leagues.
The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or honors has officially heated up with the unveiling of the nominees for the prestigious Club of the Year awards. Back-to-back European champions Paris Saint-Germain are looking to defend their men's crown against a resurgent Arsenal and a dominant Bayern Munich side, while a treble-winning Barcelona enter the women's category on a fierce mission to reclaim their throne.
Former France international Christophe Dugarry has delivered a scathing assessment of Kylian Mbappe, following the Real Madrid star's recent comments regarding his individual accolades. The 1998 World Cup winner believes the forward's public pursuit of personal glory undermines his responsibilities as a leader for both club and country.
Bayern Munich winger Luis Diaz has thrown his support behind Harry Kane to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or. The Colombian international praised his formidable attacking partner after the pair helped Vincent Kompany's side avoid a shock defeat in the DFB-Pokal. Following a spectacular individual campaign, Kane is now being tipped for football's ultimate individual prize.
France and Premier League legend Emmanuel Petit has brutally crushed Harry Kane’s hopes of winning the Ballon d'Or, claiming the striker "disappeared" when things got tough for both club and country. The former midfielder argued that despite Kane's heavy goalscoring metrics in Germany, his failure to show up in the critical knockout matches of the Champions League and the 2026 World Cup leaves him trailing behind Europe's elite.
When Lionel Messi was pushed onto his weaker foot by Nico O'Reilly and Djed Spence on the right side of the box in the 92nd minute of stoppage time, England fans held their breath in unison. The Three Lions had four of their tallest players hovering around the six-yard area, and the Argentina captain needed a perfect delivery to reach Lautaro Martinez at the back post (his only realistic target) - but as we all know, Messi can conjure up perfection at any moment.
Jamie Carragher believes Harry Kane deserves to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or based on his performances over the past year. However, the former Liverpool defender argues that the award is likely to go to Lionel Messi or Kylian Mbappe if Argentina or France lift the World Cup, leaving England’s captain at a disadvantage.
Former Bayern Munich and France defender Willy Sagnol has made a stunning declaration regarding Michael Olise, insisting the winger has already eclipsed every other player on the planet. Sagnol believes the 24-year-old’s unselfish nature puts him in a bracket above the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Colombia captain James Rodriguez believes international teammate Luis Diaz is a genuine contender for the upcoming Ballon d'Or following a spectacular season with Bayern Munich. The iconic midfielder insists a deep run on the global stage would validate the winger's world-class status, sparking intense excitement ahead of the nation's return to the tournament.
Bayern Munich star Harry Kane believes he will be a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or if he leads England to World Cup glory. Following a spectacular season where he scored 61 goals across all competitions, the prolific forward is fully confident that lifting the ultimate international trophy will solidify his claim for the sport's top individual prize.
Harry Kane and Michael Olise have been the driving forces behind a dominant season for Bayern Munich, but club legend Thomas Muller believes one holds a distinct advantage in the race for individual glory. Despite the England captain's record-breaking exploits in front of goal, the "magic quality" of his French team-mate may prove more seductive to the Ballon d’Or voters.
The footballing world is set to descend on England after UEFA officially confirmed that the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony will be held in London. This marks the first time in the history of the prestigious award that the gala will take place on English soil, setting the stage for a historic night in the capital, with Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal among those aiming to dethrone 2025 winner Ousmane Dembele.
Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele has outlined his ambitious collective and personal objectives ahead of a defining summer on both the European and international stages. The French star made it clear that his appetite for success remains far from satisfied, as he targets a second Champions League title, World Cup glory with France again, and potentially another Ballon d'Or triumph.
Cristiano Ronaldo's relentless drive to be the best is the stuff of legend, but new details have emerged showing just how extreme his dedication was during his time at Real Madrid. While most players would spend a night partying after being crowned the best in the world, the Portuguese superstar had a very different approach to handling his success.
Ousmane Dembele has spoken out regarding his chances of securing back-to-back Ballon d'Or awards after Paris Saint-Germain officially clinched the 2025-26 Ligue 1 title on Wednesday night. The 28-year-old provided an assist in a 2-0 win over Lens to ensure Luis Enrique's side remained the dominant force in French football.
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