{
  "id": 16497958,
  "title": "Ballon d'Or 2026: Oliver Kahn, Ballack, others name top three players to win award",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/ballon-dor-2026-oliver-kahn-ballack-others-name-top-three-players-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T15:50:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/25/ballon-dor-2026-oliver-kahn-ballack-others-name-top-three-players-to-win-award-2/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Germany football stars Oliver Kahn, Michael Ballack, and Bastian Schweinsteiger have each shared their predictions for the top three players to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or award. Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane has emerged as the clear favorite, according to BILD, as reported by @iMiaSanMia. Kahn placed Kane at the top of his list, followed by Barcelona's Lamine Yamal in second and Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé in third. Kahn's reasoning behind Kane's selection was his ability to score crucial goals and lead his team to success. He also praised Mbappé for his consistent goal-scoring across various competitions but noted that the French star did not win any trophies last season. Schweinsteiger agreed with Kahn's top three choices, placing Kane first, Yamal second, and Bayern Munich's Michael Olise third. The former midfielder further backed Kane for the first position and Eloise Messi at the third spot.",
  "summary": "Former Germany stars Oliver Kahn, Michael Ballack and Bastian Schweinsteiger have each revealed their predicted top three for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane emerging as the unanimous favourite for the award. According to BILD, as relayed by @iMiaSanMia, Kahn placed Kane first, followed by Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal in second and […] Ballon d'Or 2026: Oliver Kahn,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "London to host 2026 Ballon d'Or awards ceremony for first time",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/london-to-host-2026-ballon-dor-awards-ceremony-for-first-time",
        "published": "2026-10-24T22:45:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}