The official nominees for the 70th Ballon d'Or have been unveiled, with the Men’s Coach of the Year shortlist naming Mikel Arteta, Unai Emery, Vincent Kompany, Luis Enrique and Luis de la Fuente. Organizers revealed the 2026 shortlist via the award body's account on X on Tuesday as part of a global rollout that also included specialised categories such as Men’s and Women’s Striker of the Year. The announcement marks the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d'Or, which the article traces back to its 1956 founding by France Football and describes as the sport's most prestigious individual prize. The Ballon d'Or nominations cover performances across the 2025/26 European and international club calendars and were assembled for a designated international panel of sports journalists. Voting by that international panel will determine final winners, who will be crowned at a gala ceremony later in the year.
