Ballon d’Or 2026: Luka Modric makes stance clear on who wins award

Real Madrid legend Luka Modric has expressed his views on potential contenders for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, emphasizing that while he refrains from naming specific players, there are numerous candidates from both Real Madrid and other clubs.
The annual Ballon d’Or ceremony is set to take place in London on October 26, according to an announcement from France Football. Among the notable candidates this year are Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, and Michael Olise.
In an interview with Diario AS, Modric was asked about his preferred candidate for the prestigious award. He replied, “I honestly don’t know. I prefer not to mention anyone or indicate who deserves it more. The decision lies with the voters. There are numerous candidates from Madrid and other clubs. We will see who prevails; I do not wish to specify names.”
Modric, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2018, was recognized for his exceptional performances with Real Madrid and the Croatian national team. That year, he played a crucial role in leading Los Blancos to triumph in the UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Supercopa de España. Additionally, he guided Croatia to the FIFA World Cup final, where he received the Golden Ball award for being the tournament’s best player.

