Former Germany captain Lothar Matthäus has named Bayern Munich forwards Harry Kane and Michael Olise as his leading candidates for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, arguing that their displays over the past season put them ahead of every other contender.
Speaking to Deutsche Presse-Agentur ahead of Monday’s award announcement, Matthäus said the vote should be based solely on the relevant evaluation period and that, in his view, only two players stand out. “If I judge this period, which is the only one that should count, there are only two candidates for me,” said the 65-year-old. “Both are Bayern Munich players: Harry Kane and Michael Olise, nobody else.”
Kane and Olise are included in the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Their challenge for the individual prize includes prominent rivals from Spain, notably Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé.
