Luis Diaz has made his Ballon d’Or 2026 choice clear, and it is none other than his Bayern Munich teammate Harry Kane.
Both Kane and Diaz are included among the 30 nominees for this year’s prestigious individual award. The winner will be announced at a ceremony in London next month, with the two Bayern players now waiting to discover whether they can claim the biggest individual prize in football.
For Diaz, however, there is little doubt about who deserves to win.
Speaking exclusively to the DFL, the Colombia international gave Kane his full backing and highlighted the striker’s extraordinary performances and mentality.
“I can’t find the right words to describe Kane. He has had an incredible year. Even before that, he had already shown that he was one of the best players in the world. He proved it again the previous year,” Diaz said, as quoted by Bundesliga on Friday, September 18, 2026.
“For me, he is number one to win the Ballon d’Or. Hopefully he gets it. We are trying to help him win the award. Good luck to him,” the Bayern winger added.
Luis Diaz Has No Doubts About Harry Kane
Diaz’s support for Kane comes from more than simply being teammates at Bayern Munich.
The Colombian winger has had the opportunity to watch Kane closely in training and experience his mentality on a daily basis.
That has given Diaz a different perspective on the England captain compared with watching him from a distance.
Before joining Bayern, Diaz had already faced Kane during his time playing in England. However, sharing a dressing room and training ground with the striker has allowed him to see another side of Kane’s game.
Diaz admitted that Kane’s professionalism has made a particularly strong impression on him.
“I knew he scored a lot of goals, but being able to train with him every day, seeing how he trains and the mentality he has, that impressed me the most,” Diaz explained.
The Bayern winger went as far as describing Kane as someone who does almost everything perfectly.
For Diaz, those qualities strengthen the England striker’s case for the Ballon d’Or 2026.
Diaz Proud to Be a Ballon d’Or Nominee
While Diaz is backing Kane for the award, the Colombian is also celebrating his own place among the 30 nominees.
Being included on the Ballon d’Or shortlist represents a significant personal achievement for the Bayern winger.
Diaz acknowledged that only a limited number of players receive the opportunity to be nominated for the prestigious award.
“This is something incredible because not many players get the opportunity to be nominated. It is very special for me. I will remember it forever throughout my career. Of course, I am proud to be on the list,” Diaz said.
His nomination gives him another milestone to celebrate during his career.
It also places him alongside some of the biggest names in world football, including his Bayern teammate Kane.
Julian Quinones Also Earns Diaz’s Praise
Diaz also discussed another player who caught his attention in the Ballon d’Or nominations.
Julian Quinones, the Mexico international, is among the 30 nominees after an impressive period in front of goal.
Diaz already knows Quinones from their time together with Colombia’s Under-20 setup. The pair played together at the South American Championship, giving Diaz a personal connection with the forward.
“I shared a dressing room with Quinones when I played for Colombia Under-20. We played together at the South American Championship. I met him there and know him quite well,” Diaz said.
The Bayern winger praised Quinones for his character and work ethic.
“He is a great person, a hard worker and brave. I think he could play in any league because he has the qualities needed to be at a top team,” Diaz added.
Quinones’ nomination comes after he finished as the Saudi Pro League’s top scorer and also scored four international goals.
Michael Olise Also Stands Out at Bayern
Harry Kane is not the only Bayern Munich player who has impressed Diaz since his arrival at the Bundesliga club.
The Colombian also highlighted Michael Olise as another player who has caught his attention.
When asked which players had impressed him the most, Diaz first mentioned Kane before adding Olise to the conversation.
“I think he is the player who has surprised me the most, along with Michael. Michael has also surprised me a lot, especially because of his quality and the way he plays, what he does with the ball and his calmness,” Diaz said.
Olise’s technical ability and composure have clearly stood out to his new teammate.
For Diaz, the combination of players across Bayern’s squad has helped create a strong team environment.
Diaz Sees a Special Group at Bayern
Beyond individual players, Diaz believes Bayern’s strength comes from the collective.
The Colombian praised the unity within the squad and pointed to the quality available across both ends of the pitch.
“We have formed a great group, both in attack and defence. Right now, we are working as a team. That is what makes Bayern special,” Diaz said.
That team mentality is also relevant to Kane’s Ballon d’Or hopes from Diaz’s perspective.
Individual awards ultimately recognise individual performances, but Diaz’s comments show how teammates can also play a role in supporting a candidate’s ambitions.
Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or Case Gets Support From Within Bayern
With the Ballon d’Or ceremony approaching, Kane now has a strong endorsement from one of his closest teammates at Bayern Munich.
Diaz’s comments were particularly notable because they were based on his experience working with Kane rather than simply watching him play.
The Colombian has seen the striker’s training habits, mentality and approach to football up close.
For Diaz, those qualities make Kane his clear choice for the Ballon d’Or 2026.
At the same time, Diaz has plenty to celebrate himself. His inclusion among the 30 nominees represents a memorable achievement, while his comments about Quinones and Olise underline the quality of players around him.
Now, all eyes will turn to London next month to see who ultimately receives the prestigious award.
For Luis Diaz, though, there is already a clear answer.
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