France Football has announced 10 footballers who will compete for the Ballon d’Or of All Time (B.O.A.T.) award ahead of the ceremony scheduled for October 27, 2026.
Argentine great Lionel Messi and Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo are among the leading candidates for the accolade, which seeks to recognise the greatest players in football history.
Dutch legends Marco van Basten and Johan Cruyff have also made the list, hoping to claim the award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the game.
The other nominees are Alfredo Di Stéfano of Spain, Germany’s Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, France’s Michel Platini, England’s Kevin Keegan, Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer, and Brazil’s Ronaldo Nazário.
The award is reportedly based on a public poll aimed at identifying the greatest individual season or year in football history, based on players’ performances.
Unlike the traditional Ballon d’Or voting process, which involves selected journalists, this poll primarily allows fans to cast their votes, reportedly at a cost of one euro per vote.
Multiple reports indicate that Cristiano Ronaldo is leading the voting so far, as fans are encouraged to support their favourite players.
Voting is expected to remain open until October 27, 2026, when the main ceremony will be held in London, England.
See the full list of nominees below:
Alfredo Di Stéfano (Spain)
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Marco van Basten (Netherlands)
Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (Germany)
Michel Platini (France)
Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil)
Kevin Keegan (England)
Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)
