Ballon d'Or for Messi? For Uli Hoeneß, it's "Nonsense"

Who will win the Ballon d'Or 2026?

The question hasn't been this open for a long time as it is this year. With Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, but also Lionel Messi, several top stars can legitimately hope for the coveted Golden Ball.

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While it would be the first award for Yamal, Kane, and Mbappé, record winner Messi could claim the trophy for the ninth time.

"They haven't won any titles"

Above all, an outstanding World Cup gives the Argentinian a chance, because despite very good performances for Inter Miami, he would likely have no chance with his club season alone.

Uli Hoeneß, honorary president of FC Bayern, therefore considers another award for "La Pulga" to be "nonsense."

Kylian Mbappé also had a very strong World Cup. He was personally convincing at Real Madrid too, but the Frenchman lacked titles in the past season.

"They didn't win any titles at all – and we won two. They didn't even become Spanish champions," Hoeneß told the "AZ" about Mbappé.

Kane "would extremely deserve it"

Hoeneß, however, sees the favorite for the coveted trophy at his own club. About Harry Kane, he says: "He would extremely deserve it. And I also hope that he gets it. If he doesn't deserve it this year, then when?"

Last season, the Englishman won the Golden Boot, among other accolades, and scored a total of 61 goals for Bayern. With these performances, he is also the big favorite among bookmakers.