Flamengo trio Arrascaeta, Danilo and Saúl react to 2026 Ballon d'Or nod | OneFootball

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London on October 26

France Football announced this Tuesday (08) the list of nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards. Flamengo, notably, was nominated for the Club of the Year award. As a result, the Rubro-Negro released a special video featuring statements from Arrascaeta, Danilo, and Saúl.

What did Arrascaeta say about Flamengo’s nomination?

One of Flamengo’s captains alongside Bruno Henrique, Arrascaeta highlighted the privilege of being nominated for Club of the Year. In addition, the number 10 admitted he was surprised by Rubro-Negro’s presence on the France Football list.

— It is worldwide recognition, a huge privilege. I believe every fan should feel proud of the club. We have represented it in the best way possible, but competing for an award of this magnitude is something few could have imagined. As I told you, as a player and as a fan, it is something I’m deeply grateful for-, he said.

Danilo recalled the beginning of Flamengo’s journey

Scorer of the goal that secured the fourth Libertadores title, Danilo recalled his decision to accept Flamengo’s offer after terminating his contract with Juventus (ITA). Finally, the center-back highlighted the success of the Rubro-Negro project.

And what did Saúl say?

Who are Flamengo’s competitors?

Besides Flamengo, four other teams were nominated for the Club of the Year award. They are: PSG (FRA), Bayern Munich (GER), Arsenal (ENG), and Bodo/Glimt (NOR). Therefore, Rubro-Negro will not have an easy path to winning the title.

What period does the Ballon d’Or take into account?

The period considered for the award covers the European season, from August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026. During that span, Flamengo won the 2025 Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian Championship.

In addition, the team coached by Filipe Luís won the Derby of the Americas and the Challenger Cup at the Club World Cup. In the final, however, Flamengo was beaten by PSG (FRA) on penalties and finished as runner-up in the tournament.

What criteria are analyzed for the Club of the Year award?

It is worth noting that the Club of the Year award does not consider only the number of trophies won during the season. Therefore, the organizers also assess sporting performance, standout moments, campaigns that exceeded expectations, and fair play.

When will the Ballon d’Or ceremony take place?

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held on October 26 in London. Flamengo fans, in fact, have another reason to follow the event. That is because Vinicius Júnior, a former Flamengo player and current Real Madrid (ESP) forward, is in contention for the award for best player in the world.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.