Bola de Ouro 2026 pits Vini Jr., Marquinhos and Gabriel with elite
Bola de Ouro 2026 will be contested on Monday 26, with the ceremony starting at 17h Brasília time in the London Palladium Theatre, Inglaterra. The night pits Brazil’s Vini Jr., Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães against a field of global stars, while Flamengo vies for the Club of the Year honour.
London ceremony marks 70th edition
The event is the 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or, a milestone that honours Stanley Matthews, the inaugural winner. It begins at 20:00 GMT (21:00 CET) and will be streamed live in English‑speaking territories and on the official Ballon d’Or website. The ceremony follows a tradition of gathering the season’s top performers.
Nominees are judged on performances between 3 August 2025 and 19 July 2026, a span that includes the World Cup staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada. The jury weighs individual brilliance, decisive moments, team results and sporting conduct. This broad window ensures the award reflects the full 2025/26 campaign.
Brazilian trio among men’s favourites
In the men’s shortlist, Vini Jr., Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães represent Brasil, keeping the nation present in the race for the world’s best player. Other leading candidates include Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint‑Germain, Lamine Yamal of Barcelona, Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid and Harry Kane of Bayern Munich. Inter captain Lautaro Martínez is the sole Serie A nominee and is viewed as an outsider.
The women’s category features stars such as Alexia Putellas, Ewa Pajor, Caroline Graham Hansen and Mariona Caldentey. Brazil’s Lorena appears in both the best player and best goalkeeper nominations, confronting a strong field that values consistency and impact. The list also highlights emerging talents across Europe and South America.
Among the male goalkeeper nominees are Thibaut Courtois, David Raya and Emiliano Martínez, with Raya and Courtois singled out as players to watch. Additional contenders include Yassine Bounou, Gregor Kobel, Joan García, Édouard Mendy, Vozinha and Matvey Safonov, reflecting a deep pool of talent.
The Club of the Year award pits Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Bodo/Glimt, Flamengo and Paris Saint‑Germain against each other. PSG and Arsenal emerge as strong candidates, while Flamengo represents Brasil’s growing influence beyond Europe. Success in domestic leagues and continental competitions will shape the final decision.
The Kopa Trophy recognises the best under‑21 player, with Lamine Yamal highlighted as a leading male prospect and Vicky López as a top female candidate. Coaching honours feature Luis Enrique, Mikel Arteta and Vincent Kompany on the men’s side, and Jonatan Giráldez, Pere Romeu and Andrée Jeglertz for the women.