Flamengo has been officially nominated for the Club of the Year award at the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Following the announcement, stars from the team’s roster commented on this unprecedented recognition by France Football.
Flamengo‘s season of glory has just received a new seal of international prestige. On Tuesday (08), France Football magazine revealed the list of nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Club of the Year award, placing the Rubro-Negro among the five elite institutions in world football.
To celebrate the achievement, the club released a video featuring testimonials from key members of the squad: Arrascaeta, Danilo, and Saúl.
The nomination reflects the team’s winning cycle between August 2025 and July 2026, a period in which the Rio de Janeiro club captured both the Libertadores and the Brazilian Serie A.
In addition to the titles, their performance in competitions such as the Club World Cup and the growth of the brand on the global stage were decisive factors for the organization to recognize the work carried out under the leadership of Filipe Luís.
Squad reaction to the recognition
Midfielder Arrascaeta, one of the team’s leaders, did not hide his surprise and gratitude when commenting on the nomination. For the Uruguayan, the impact of the news reaches far beyond the pitch:
It is recognition on a global level, a huge privilege. I believe every fan should feel proud of this club. We have represented it in the best way possible, but competing for an award of this magnitude is something one rarely imagines. As I said, as a player and as a fan, I feel immense gratitude.
Defender Danilo emphasized that the nomination validates a long-term project. According to him, the goal of establishing Flamengo as a global benchmark goes far beyond just logging minutes on the field.
It is satisfying to see the Flamengo crest represented in such a big and important place, serving as a reference for other clubs and other projects.
Competition and next steps
Flamengo will face stiff competition to bring home the trophy. The Rio-based club is contending alongside European giants: PSG (France), Bayern Munich (Germany), Arsenal (England), and the surprising Bodo/Glimt (Norway).
Unlike other awards, the Club of the Year honor evaluates criteria such as fair play, social impact, and sustainable sporting performance.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for October 26th in London.
Beyond cheering for the team, the event will be a special moment for Flamengo fans to follow Vinicius Júnior closely. The Flamengo youth academy product and current Real Madrid forward is one of the top favorites for the world’s best player award.
To follow all the behind-the-scenes action of this awards ceremony and the remainder of the season, continue checking for updates here.
