Thierry Henry assesses open 2026 Ballon d'Or race

Thierry Henry believes the 2026 Ballon d’Or contest is considerably more difficult to call than last year’s award, with several players having a credible case. The former France forward also revealed his preferred winner after the 30 nominees were announced on Tuesday, although the identity of his selection is not included in the available details.

Henry said the strength of the field made the decision less straightforward than the previous edition. His comments present this year’s vote as a genuine contest rather than an award with one obvious leading candidate. The Ballon d’Or recognises the outstanding player of the year, making the quality of the nominees central to the debate around his choice.

The former Arsenal and Barcelona striker continues to offer analysis through his work with CBS Sports, including coverage of the Champions League. He is Arsenal’s leading goalscorer, having scored 228 times for the club, and won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with France.

His view adds a prominent football voice to an award discussion that remains unsettled following the announcement of the shortlist. Henry’s decision is clear, but his wider assessment points to a closely fought race in which multiple nominees can make a strong argument for the prize.