Bayern Munich trio Michael Olise, Harry Kane and Luis Díaz are contenders for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. - © Bundesliga

bundesliga

Live blog: Harry Kane among favourites for 2026 Ballon d'Or

25.10.2026

The best player in the world from the 2025/26 season will be crowned in London on Monday at the award ceremony for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. Bayern Munich have three of the frontrunners for the top prize in Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Díaz after their scintillating campaign. Follow live on this page as we discover the winner for that and several other prizes...

Presented by France Football, the 2026 award ceremony has moved from Paris to London in honour of the first winner of the Ballon d'Or 70 years ago, Sir Stanley Matthews.

Bayern's star striker Kane is among the hot favourites to succeed Ousmane Dembéle in being named the best player in the world.

Why Kane deserves to win the Ballon d'Or

No Bundesliga player has won the Ballon d'Or since Borussia Dortmund's Matthias Sammer in 1996, while the trophy last went to Munich when Karl-Heinz Rummenigge won it back-to-back in 1980 and 1981.

Follow the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony below!

Carragher tips Kane

Former England defender turned television pundit Jamie Carragher is in no doubt as to who should hold aloft the coveted trophy on Monday night: “Based on the past 12 months, Kane should win the Ballon d'Or.”

Lewandowski on Kane and Olise

"Kane came to Bayern in his prime and what he’s doing - the number of goals he's scoring - is amazing. If Olise had scored one or two goals at the World Cup, he would also be among the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or, along with Yamal and Kane."

0:14

Watch: Gnabry has fingers crossed for Kane

0:28

Watch: Kane excited about Ballon d'Or ceremony

Bayern trio impress

With Vincent Kompany watching on from hospital, three of Bayern's four Ballon d'Or nominees (Díaz missed out through injury) played a starring role in their emotional 3-1 win at Freiburg on Sunday. Kane captained the side in the absence of Neuer, Man of the Match Upamecano scored an eye-catching goal and Olise also got on the scoresheet in injury time.

Rummenigge argues in favour of Kane

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, a two-time Ballon d'Or winner and member of Bayern's supervisory board, has made his case for the England striker, stressing his qualities off the pitch as well as on it: "Despite all his success, he has retained a wonderful and refreshing sense of normality. He is hardworking, grafts for the team, knows where he came from and has his heart in the right place. [...] He is something that goes beyond a single season: a true role model."

10:31

Watch: The best of Luis Díaz in the Bundesliga

Completing Bayern's quartet

As well as Kane and Olise, Bayern's Dayot Upamecano and Luis Díaz have also been nominated for the Ballon d'Or this year. Upamecano put in consistently commanding displays for club and country last season, while Díaz recorded 26 goals and 19 assists in all competitions during his debut campaign in Germany.

Which other Bundesliga players have won it?

In addition to the aforementioned Sammer in 1996, five other players have clinched the illustrious award while plying their trade in the Bundesliga, namely Gerd Müller (Bayern, 1970), Franz Beckenbauer (Bayern, 1972 and 1976), Allan Simonsen (Gladbach, 1977), Kevin Keegan (Hamburg, 1978 and 1979) and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (1980 and 1981). Will we see a seventh on Monday evening?

How does it work?

Firstly, France Football - who launched the award in 1956 - and L'Equipe, also of France, decide on the 30 nominees. Then, a journalist from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings choose their top 10, with 15, 12, 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 points given out, with first receiving the maximum and 10th the minimum. Whoever receives the most points will lift the award.

30-year wait over?

The last time a Bundesliga player won the Ballon d'Or was in 1996, when Matthias Sammer picked up the prize having guided Borussia Dortmund to a second consecutive league title and winning Player of the Tournament at Euro 1996.

Back on the podium?

The last time a Bayern player finished in the Ballon d'Or top three was in 2022 when Sadio Mané (pictured), who had joined the club from Liverpool in that summer, finished second behind Karim Benzema. In 2021, club legend Robert Lewandowski also finished second, behind Lionel Messi that time.

Kane also in the Olise fan club

"I’d say he [Olise] is currently the best winger in the world," said the star striker as Bayern stormed to Bundesliga and DFB Cup glory last season. "He creates a lot of chances and isn’t afraid to dribble. I think he’s one of our main players, along with Díaz."

Willy Sagnol full of praise for Olise

The former Bayern and France defender believes the record-breaking winner should win this year's edition of the award: "Olise is the best in the world, far ahead of all other players. If he doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or at the end of the year, something is seriously wrong."

3:39

Watch: Michael Olise making the extraordinary seem ordinary

Olise under the radar?

Kane's partner in crime had an equally incredible 2025/26 for both club and country, racking up an astounding 22 goals and 31 assists in 51 games in all competitions. He shone on the world stage for France too, breaking Pelé's 56-year-old assist record at the 2026 World Cup with seven assists in eight games.

Kane grateful for Ballon d'Or backing

“I know there’s a lot of support for me out there, and I really do appreciate it. Monday could be a special night.”

11:47

Watch: A Harry Kane highlight reel

Declan Rice supports his compatriot after Champions League bout

“For me, he’s [Kane] the clear winner. I think his numbers speak for themselves. The year he’s had has been remarkable. When you play with him, you realise how good he is and when you play against him, you see how much of a pain it is. As a ‘striker’ to play that pass he did for that goal [Davies], he’s ridiculous. He’s such a good player. I’m lucky I can play with him and not so lucky I have to play against him.”

Herbert Hainer leans toward Kane

Bayern's club president Herbert Hainer found it difficult to choose between either Kane or Olise, eventually backing the England captain to pick up the award: “Both Michael and Harry deserve it. But I would give it to Harry Kane. Michael Olise has many more years ahead of him to win the Ballon d’Or.”

1:42

Watch: Olise's Bundesliga assists for Kane

Lothar Matthäus backs Bayern duo

“When I evaluate this season [last season]—the only one that should be evaluated—there are only two players for me. Both play for Bayern Munich: Harry Kane and Michael Olise—and no one else.”

Jonas Urbig on 'incredible' Kane

“He does both things on both ends of the pitch – he scores goals non-stop, he defends, goes into duels, [and] distributes the ball. He’s everywhere on the pitch; he runs a lot. He’s an incredible footballer, [and] an incredible person. We’re so happy to have him in our team.”

Serge Gnabry is in Kane's corner

“That would be great [if he wins]. You always hope that for a teammate. He's had an incredible year, has shown his qualities, and is a key player on our team. I definitely hope it happens for him.”

0:29

Watch: Stars support Harry Kane for the Ballon d'Or

Who are the favourites?

Bayern's Harry Kane and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal are both being touted as the favourites to pick up the award ahead of the big night. Kane scored 61 goals in 51 games in all competitions in 2025/26, becoming both the Bundesliga and Europe's top scorer in the process, as well as guiding his team to a league and cup double. Still just 19-years-old, Yamal complimented his domestic double with World Cup glory, lifting the trophy with Spain after their victory over Argentina at this summer's tournament in the U.S.

Who won it last year?

Having guided PSG to a domestic triple, where he also won Ligue 1's golden boot, and having lifted the Champions League in 2024/25, Ousmane Dembélé was crowned as Europe's best player in 2025.

Where will the ceremony take place?

This year's ceremony will be held at the London Palladium Theatre. With the Ballon d'Or celebrating it's 70th anniversary following it's creation by France Football magazine in 1965, they're taking it back to England and the home country of the award's first ever winner, Stanley Matthews (pictured).

The nominees

Naturally, European football's biggest names are up for the award, such as: Harry Kane (pictured, l.), Michael Olise and Luis Díaz (all Bayern Munich), former Borussia Dortmund trio Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi (both Paris Saint-Germain), Rodri (Barcelona), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) and of course, Lamine Yamal (pictured, r. Barcelona).

Welcome!

Keep up to date with all things Ballon d'Or as we approach the 70th award ceremony of this prestigious prize, with this year's winner being crowned on Monday 26 October.