Ballon d'Or 2026: Nobody else - Lothar Matthäus picks two players to win award

German legend, Lothar Matthäus, has picked Bayern Munich duo, Harry Kane and Michael Olise, as the two favourite players to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Speaking recently with Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Matthäus insisted that nobody else deserves to win the Ballon d’Or on Monday apart from Kane and Olise because of their performances last season.

“When I assess this period [last season], which is the only period that should be assessed, then there are only two for me,” the 65-year-old said (via @iMiaSanMia).

“They both play for Bayern Munich. Harry Kane and Michael Olise, and nobody else.”

Kane and Olise are among the 30 players shortlisted for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

They will face stiff competition from Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé.