Bayern with record Ballon d'Or nominees –Messi, Yamal, Mbappé in race
The candidates for the 2026 Ballon d’Or are set: FC Bayern Munich has received numerous nominations, while international stars such as Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé are also in the running. The award ceremony will take place on October 26 in London.
Bayern in Focus
The record champion Bayern Munich is represented in several categories. The offensive trio Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz, defender Dayot Upamecano as well as coach Vincent Kompany are among the nominees. In the women's category, Klara Bühl, Pernille Harder and Momoko Tanikawa were nominated, while goalkeeper Ann‑Katrin Berger makes up the goalkeeper contingent.
Additionally, the 18‑year‑old Lennart Karl is mentioned as the best young player. In total, only three German professionals – Bühl, Karl and Berger – are among the nominees, confirming the statement that German candidates are strongly under‑represented. FC Bayern is also nominated as the best club, a reference to the “hot iron in the fire” of the organization.
International Top Candidates
Among the international top candidates, besides Messi (Inter Miami), are the Spanish world champions Rodri and Lamine Yamal, both of whom play for FC Barcelona, as well as Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid). The French striker is also in the top‑30, while Cristiano Ronaldo (Al‑Nassr) was not nominated.
Harry Kane is considered the favorite among the men to succeed Ousmane Dembélé. In the previous season he scored 73 goals for Bayern and the German national team, won the Golden Shoe and was voted German Footballer of the Year. “The season I played was by far my best, and now we have to wait and see what happens,” Kane said recently.
Bayern as Best Club
FC Bayern Munich is nominated for the award as the best men’s team. The competition includes Champions‑League winner Paris Saint‑Germain, Copa‑Libertadores champion Flamengo from Rio de Janeiro, English champions Arsenal and the Norwegian surprise team FK Bodø/Glimt.
Under coach Vincent Kompany, Bayern won the double of league and cup again in its second season, which strengthens the club’s chances in the club category.
The Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held for the first time not in Paris but in London – a homage to Stanley Matthews, the first winner 70 years ago. The award is presented by the specialist magazine France Football, while the world governing body FIFA has been awarding its own “Footballer of the Year” prize since 1991.
In the women’s category, alongside Klara Bühl, other international stars such as Alexia Putellas, Pernille Harder and Momoko Tanikawa appear on the list. Bühl is thus the only German among the top 30 female players.
The final results will be announced at the gala on October 26, with journalists voting in all categories.