Ballon d'Or

14 faces leave the race, while the giants continue to appear

The Roshn League goes global

Following the exclusion of Raphinha and Pedri

The Egyptian star was nominated six times and achieved his best positions last year

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.

Paris the most represented on the list of nominees

Champions of Europe impose their will

Roshn League duo make an appearance: world champions in control

Who will earn the great honour?

A legendary gesture

A fierce contest between 10 talents

Heavy artillery bombardment

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.

"Lamine Yamal has decided matches on his own"

New competition between Morocco and Senegal

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.

Flick to miss out

Who deserves the title more?

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.

Criticism of Real Madrid star

The French star is brimming with confidence

The individual criterion outweighs the collective

The PSG coach backs his players in the most important individual race

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.

"The truth is that he is capable of doing everything"

The new player

Who will claim the prestigious award?

The Portuguese coach criticises the "politicisation" of the award