France Football names 10 nominees for All-Time Ballon d’Or award

France Football has officially released the names of the 10 footballers shortlisted for the inaugural Ballon d’Or of All Time (B.O.A.T.) award. The ceremony, which is set to crown the greatest player in the history of the sport, is scheduled to take place on October 27, 2026. This prestigious honor aims to provide a definitive recognition of the most exceptional individual talents to have ever graced the game, moving beyond the traditional annual awards cycle.

Leading the list of contenders are the contemporary icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Both players have dominated the modern era of football, sharing multiple annual Ballon d’Or trophies between them over the last two decades. They are joined on the shortlist by legendary figures such as the Dutch maestro Johan Cruyff, whose influence on the pitch and his tactical contributions to the sport's evolution remain benchmarks for excellence. The inclusion of these names reflects a selection process designed to capture different eras of footballing history.

The B.O.A.T. award represents a significant milestone for France Football, focusing on the entirety of a player's career and their overall historical impact. While the full list of ten nominees has already sparked intense debate among fans and pundits worldwide, the ceremony in 2026 is expected to be a landmark event for the global football community. As the countdown to the gala begins, the focus remains on which of these icons will be immortalized as the ultimate player in the history of the sport.