2026 Ballon d’Or: Hoeneß Names Players In Top 30 That Don’t Deserve Award

Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeneß has criticised the Ballon d’Or chances of Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi and Real Madrid attacker Kylian Mbappé.

Speaking in an interview with Munich-based tabloid Abendzeitung, Hoeneß argued that neither player deserves to win the 2026 award.

The Bayern official instead backed England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane to receive the prestigious individual prize this year.

Hoeneß claimed Messi did not do enough during the season to justify winning the award, while he pointed to Mbappé’s lack of team trophies with Real Madrid.

“I think giving Messi the Ballon d’Or for a fifth time would be nonsense!” Hoeneß said.

“Mbappé? They [Real Madrid] didn’t win a single title, while we won two.”

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Messi, Mbappé and Kane are all among the 30 players shortlisted for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with the winner set to be announced next month.