Munich: Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane was named Tuesday among the 30 nominees for the 2026 Men's Ballon d'Or following a prolific season that has made him one of the leading contenders for football's most prestigious individual award. The 33-year-old English captain scored 61 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions for Bayern during the 2025-26 season as the German club won a domestic double. Kane also scored six goals for England at the 2026 World Cup, where they finished third.
According to Anadolu Agency, Kane faces competition from some of football's biggest names, including record eight-time winner Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and defending Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele. Spain's Rodri, who won the award in 2024, was also included after helping his country win the World Cup.
Paris Saint-Germain has a strong presence in the nomination list with eight players: Dembele, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Willian Pacho, and Fabian Ruiz. The complete list of 30 nominees also includes Jude Bellingham, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Cucurella, Luis Diaz, Bruno Fernandes, Gabriel, Sadio Mane, Lautaro Martinez, Michael Olise, Julian Quinones, Declan Rice, William Saliba, Ferran Torres, Dayot Upamecano, Vinicius Jr., and Vitinha.
Lamine Yamal, who has previously won the young player award in the last two seasons, is also among the 10 nominees for the Men's Young Talent of the Year award. He is joined by Kerim Alajbegovic, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Pau Cubarsi, Yan Diomande, Lennart Karl, Eli Junior Kroupi, Johan Manzambi, Ibrahim Maza, and Warren Zaire-Emery.
For the Men's Coach of the Year, World Cup-winning Spain coach Luis de la Fuente is among the nominees alongside Arsenal's Mikel Arteta, Aston Villa's Unai Emery, Bayern Munich's Vincent Kompany, and Paris Saint-Germain's Luis Enrique. Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Bodo/Glimt, Flamengo, and Paris Saint-Germain have been nominated for Men's Club of the Year. The winners will be announced on October 26 at the 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony in London.