Sports
Mbappe swaps Nike for On as Swiss brand plots entry into football
Kylian Mbappe has ended his two-decade partnership with Nike and joined Swiss sportswear brand On, giving the fast-growing company a global football superstar as it prepares to enter a market dominated by Nike, Adidas and Puma.
The move is a major step for On, which built its reputation in running before expanding into tennis through its partnership with Roger Federer. The company plans to launch its first football boots in 2027, with former France star Thierry Henry serving as its director of football.
Mbappe, who has been associated with Nike since he was a child, will work with On’s product teams on the development and testing of its football footwear and apparel. The deal includes cash and equity components, although On has not disclosed its value.
The partnership gives On an immediate presence in football through one of the sport’s most recognizable players, but turning Mbappe’s star power into sustained sales will be a far more difficult task.
Football is among the most fiercely contested categories in sportswear. Nike, Adidas and Puma have spent decades building relationships with clubs, national teams and players while investing heavily in product development and marketing. At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Adidas sponsored 14 national teams, while Nike and Puma sponsored 12 and 11, respectively.
“Football is one of the most expensive categories to enter and performance credibility cannot simply be bought,” Jefferies equity analyst Randy Konik said, arguing that the Mbappe deal shows On will need to increase spending to sustain its growth.
On’s challenge comes as the company itself faces pressure to maintain the rapid expansion that has made it one of the sportswear industry’s prominent challengers.
The company missed analysts’ estimates for second-quarter net sales last month, raising concerns about slowing growth. Its Americas business, which accounts for more than half of its revenue, has also struggled amid uncertain consumer spending. On’s shares have fallen more than 40% this year.
Still, On has continued to take market share from established rivals. Data from M Science showed the company gained share in the three months through August, while Nike continued to lose ground.
Its expansion into football therefore represents another attempt to find a new source of growth.
On has already used a similar strategy in tennis, where its partnership with Federer helped raise the brand’s profile beyond running. Federer acquired an equity stake in On after joining the company in 2019, and the Swiss star has remained closely involved with its product development and marketing.
The Mbappe agreement similarly includes an equity component, creating a structure that goes beyond a conventional endorsement deal. The French forward will have a role in developing On’s football products as the company builds its new category.
On says its LightSpray robotic manufacturing technology, already used in its running footwear, will be part of its approach to football boots. The company is positioning the technology and its engineering expertise as potential points of difference in a market where established brands have years of experience producing elite-level boots.
Yet industry analysts have warned that signing a superstar does not automatically create a successful football business.
Under Armour’s partnership with NBA star Stephen Curry offers one example. The collaboration helped establish Under Armour in basketball, but the company did not replicate the cultural reach or commercial scale of Nike’s Jordan Brand. Under Armour and Curry agreed to separate in 2025.
“The question is whether the deal is worth the cost, which is undoubtedly high,” Morningstar analyst David Swartz said.
Nike, meanwhile, is losing one of its most prominent football ambassadors at a time when the company is attempting to revive its business.
Mbappe became a central figure in Nike’s football marketing, particularly as Cristiano Ronaldo, another major Nike ambassador, moves into the later stages of his career. Nike has also recently lost Spain and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal to Adidas.
Nike said it was proud of its long relationship with Mbappe and wished him success in the next stage of his career.
Mbappe’s departure is unlikely to transform Nike’s fortunes by itself. Analysts said investors are more focused on the company’s product innovation and broader turnaround strategy under CEO Elliott Hill, who has sought to refocus Nike on major sports including football and running.
Nike still retains significant strength in football. The company has extended its long-running agreement to supply France’s national team kits through 2033-34 and remains one of the sport’s dominant global brands.
For On, however, Mbappe represents something different: a chance to establish credibility in football before its first boots even reach the market.
The company has brought together Mbappe’s global profile, Henry’s football expertise and its product-development technology as it attempts to build a new category from scratch.
Whether that combination can challenge decades of Nike, Adidas and Puma dominance will depend on more than the visibility of one superstar. On must persuade players and consumers that its football products can perform at the highest level, while building the distribution, club relationships and cultural presence needed to turn a headline partnership into a lasting football business.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been invited by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to attend a two-day strategy conference in Cape Verde next month as he seeks to maintain support on the continent ahead of next year’s FIFA presidential election.
A letter sent by CAF to its 54 member associations this week, seen by Reuters and verified by several associations, invited the presidents to the Oct. 7-8 meeting after CAF President Patrice Motsepe had proposed the gathering several times.
Motsepe, a South African mining billionaire, is a close ally of Infantino, who faces a potential challenge to his leadership after the collapse of a proposal to sell private investors a stake of up to 20% in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
CAF’s executive committee expressed its support for Infantino last month, while several African football associations have also publicly backed his bid for another term.
The plan prompted fierce opposition from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF and led to calls for change at the top of FIFA. Africa expressed no objection to the plan and has since said it remains behind Infantino.
While past FIFA elections have often seen the African vote split, CAF’s endorsement contrasts with criticism of Infantino’s actions from other parts of the football world.
Africa’s 54 votes represent a significant bloc of the 211 member associations that would vote if Infantino faces a challenger in the election in Rabat in March.
The 56-year-old Swiss has confirmed he is seeking re-election, but no potential opponent has emerged despite UEFA saying it was searching for a credible challenger.
CAF said the conference agenda would be sent to member associations in due course.
On Oct. 9, there will also be a review of the 2026 World Cup, to which the national team coach of every African association has been invited. The review will be led by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is now FIFA’s chief of global football development.
FIFA has hosted reviews of tactical trends, refereeing, logistical matters and other issues from the field of play on every continent after every World Cup since the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
Michael Jordan’s playing career ended more than two decades ago, but the basketball icon continues to earn at a level few active athletes can match.
That is the clearest illustration of what separates the highest-paid athletes in history from those who simply collected the biggest salaries during their playing careers. The all-time money leaders have turned sporting success into global brands, endorsement empires and business ventures that continue generating revenue long after they leave the field.
Sportico’s career-earnings estimates, adjusted for inflation through the end of 2025, put Jordan at the top of the list at roughly $4.5 billion. Tiger Woods, Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James and Lionel Messi form the next group, each having accumulated at least about $2 billion in inflation-adjusted earnings.
The figures include salaries, bonuses, prize money and purses, along with endorsement income, licensing, royalties, appearances, memorabilia, media deals and other sports-related business earnings. They are generally calculated before taxes and agent fees, while traditional investment income is excluded.
Jordan’s commercial legacy towers over the field
Jordan’s estimated inflation-adjusted career earnings are about $4.5 billion, compared with roughly $3.28 billion in nominal terms.
His six NBA championships and five MVP awards made him one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, but it was his commercial success that transformed his career earnings.
The foundation was laid with his partnership with Nike, which began in 1984 and eventually produced the Air Jordan brand. Decades after his final NBA season, Jordan continues to receive substantial royalty income from the business.
He also has been involved in a range of other commercial ventures and investments, including his former ownership stake in the Charlotte Hornets, a stake in DraftKings and involvement with a NASCAR team.
Sportico estimates that Jordan earned about $275 million in 2025 alone, a remarkable figure for an athlete who retired from the NBA in 2003.
Woods built a golf fortune that survived his peak
Tiger Woods ranks second on the inflation-adjusted list at approximately $2.88 billion, with nominal career earnings estimated at about $1.97 billion.
Woods’ 15 major championships and 82 PGA Tour victories established him as one of golf’s defining figures. His success coincided with a period of enormous growth in sports sponsorships, allowing him to turn his dominance on the course into a global commercial operation.
His long-running relationship with Nike became one of the most lucrative athlete endorsement partnerships in sports. He has also had major deals with companies including Rolex and Hero MotoCorp, while golf-course design and other business ventures have added to his post-playing income.
Like Jordan, Woods has continued generating significant commercial revenue even as his competitive schedule has declined.
Ronaldo leads the modern generation
Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid active athlete on the all-time list, with inflation-adjusted career earnings of approximately $2.52 billion.
The Portugal captain’s career has combined enormous club salaries with one of the most powerful personal brands in global sport. His move to Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr dramatically increased his on-field income, while endorsement agreements and his CR7 brand have kept his off-field earnings at elite levels.
Forbes estimated Ronaldo’s earnings at $300 million over the 12 months covered by its 2026 ranking, including about $235 million from on-field income. Forbes also describes him as the world’s highest-paid athlete in that period.
Ronaldo’s earning power illustrates how modern global sports stars can combine club contracts, sponsorships and personal businesses on an unprecedented scale.
James and Messi remain close behind
LeBron James has accumulated approximately $2.03 billion in inflation-adjusted career earnings.
The Los Angeles Lakers star has earned hundreds of millions of dollars in NBA salary while building an even larger commercial portfolio. Forbes says James has earned more than $1 billion pretax off the court through endorsements and business ventures, including his long-running Nike relationship. He also has taken equity positions in companies he has worked with, including Beats by Dre.
James became the first active NBA player to reach billionaire status according to Forbes, although net worth and career earnings are different measurements.
Lionel Messi follows at roughly $1.99 billion in inflation-adjusted career earnings.
The Argentine star’s income has been driven by enormous contracts during his Barcelona years, his move to Inter Miami and a portfolio of global endorsement agreements, including Adidas. His arrival in Major League Soccer also expanded his commercial reach in the United States.
Forbes estimated Messi’s earnings at about $140 million in its 2026 annual ranking, split roughly evenly between on-field and off-field income.
The rest of the top 10
The inflation-adjusted top 10 also includes several athletes whose commercial influence extended well beyond their competitive careers.
Arnold Palmer ranks sixth at approximately $1.85 billion, followed by Jack Nicklaus at $1.83 billion. David Beckham is next at about $1.68 billion, with Roger Federer at $1.67 billion and Floyd Mayweather Jr. at approximately $1.57 billion.
The list reflects the unusual economics of sports. Some athletes accumulated enormous fortunes through salaries and prize money, while others generated most of their career earnings away from competition.
Golf is particularly prominent because stars such as Palmer, Nicklaus and Woods were able to monetize their names through endorsements, course design, licensing and appearances for decades.
Beckham followed a similar path in soccer, turning his playing career into a global commercial brand. Federer did the same in tennis, where endorsement income became a major part of his earnings.
Mayweather’s position is different. Boxing’s individual-pay structure allows elite fighters to capture a much larger share of event revenue, with major pay-per-view bouts producing enormous purses.
Career earnings tell a different story than annual salaries
The distinction between annual earnings and career earnings is important.
Forbes’ annual rankings measure what athletes earn during a particular 12-month period. Sportico’s career rankings accumulate earnings over an athlete’s professional life and then adjust historical figures for inflation.
That difference explains why several retired athletes remain near the top of an all-time list.
Palmer and Nicklaus competed in an earlier financial era, when salaries and endorsement contracts were much smaller in nominal terms. Adjusting their earnings for inflation provides a clearer comparison with athletes competing in today’s vastly larger sports economy.
Forbes’ historical annual rankings also show how quickly the business of sports has expanded. In 2013, for example, Tiger Woods led the Forbes list with $78.1 million, while Federer earned $71.5 million and LeBron James $59.8 million.
More recent figures are several times larger. Ronaldo’s estimated $300 million in the latest Forbes period demonstrates the scale now available to the world’s biggest sports stars.
Endorsements can outlast the playing career
For many of the athletes near the top of the all-time list, the most important paycheck did not come from a team.
Jordan’s Nike relationship is the clearest example. Woods’ sponsorship portfolio and course-design business have also continued producing income well after his peak competitive years.
James has built a similar model, combining NBA salary with endorsements, equity investments, media ventures and other businesses. Forbes says he has earned more than $500 million in pretax NBA salary and more than $1 billion off the court.
Federer, Beckham and Palmer likewise demonstrate the value of maintaining a marketable identity after retirement.
The result is a career that does not necessarily end when the athlete stops competing.
Different sports produce different paths to wealth
The composition of the list also reflects the economics of individual sports and major team leagues.
Golfers can combine prize money with sponsorships, appearance fees, course design and licensing. Boxers can receive enormous shares of event revenue through purses and pay-per-view agreements. Tennis players benefit from global sponsorship markets and long careers.
Basketball stars have benefited from rapidly increasing NBA salaries, global merchandise sales and lucrative footwear partnerships.
Soccer provides another route because its biggest stars can reach enormous audiences across continents.
Ronaldo and Messi have turned that global visibility into substantial endorsement and business income, while the growth of high-paying leagues has pushed player compensation higher.
The modern sports economy has also created opportunities that previous generations did not have, including social media, direct-to-consumer brands, media companies and equity partnerships.
The list is still changing
The all-time rankings are not static.
Ronaldo, James and Messi remain active commercial forces, meaning their career totals can continue to rise. Other current stars, including Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Shohei Ohtani and Canelo Alvarez, are also building earnings at levels that could significantly alter the historical rankings over time.
Ohtani represents a particularly notable modern model, with an enormous playing contract combined with substantial endorsement income. Curry has built a major commercial business around basketball and Under Armour, while Alvarez has benefited from the enormous purses available to boxing’s biggest attractions.
The growth of athlete-owned businesses could make future career rankings even more difficult to separate from traditional sports earnings.
Women remain significantly underrepresented
The historical list also highlights the enormous earnings gap between the biggest-paid male and female athletes.
Serena Williams is the only woman among Sportico’s top 50 all-time earners cited in the data, with inflation-adjusted career earnings estimated at roughly $680 million.
That gap reflects differences in salaries, prize money, sponsorship markets and commercial opportunities across sports and eras. It also shows why comparing athletes solely by their accumulated earnings does not provide a complete picture of sporting achievement or commercial influence.
Why inflation matters
A simple comparison of nominal career earnings can distort historical rankings.
A dollar earned several decades ago had considerably greater purchasing power than a dollar earned today. Inflation adjustment attempts to place those earnings on a common basis, allowing athletes from different generations to be compared more meaningfully.
That is particularly important for Palmer and Nicklaus, whose careers were built when professional sports generated far less revenue than they do today.
Even after adjusting for inflation, however, Jordan remains the clear leader in Sportico’s career-earnings estimates.
Trabzonspor and Galatasaray meet Saturday in a high-profile Süper Lig clash with both teams carrying different ambitions into the sixth round. Trabzonspor are looking to make a winning start under new coach Thomas Reis, while Galatasaray will try to extend their perfect run over the past four league matches and remain atop the standings.
The match at Papara Park kicks off at 8 p.m. local time.
Trabzonspor have collected seven points from their opening five matches, recording two wins, one draw and two defeats. Reis will take charge of his first game since replacing Fatih Tekke, with the home side hoping a change in the dugout can spark a turnaround.
Trabzonspor will be without injured midfielders Okay Yokuşlu and Ruslan Malinovskyi. Folcarelli and Batagov have completed their treatments but are not expected to be ready to play.
Galatasaray arrive in considerably stronger league form. The defending champions have 13 points from five games and have won their last four after opening the season with a draw. They will be seeking a fifth consecutive league victory in Trabzon.
The fixture is also the 144th meeting between the clubs in all competitions since their rivalry began during the 1974-75 season, when Trabzonspor first reached the top flight.
Galatasaray have won 66 of the previous 143 encounters, while Trabzonspor have 45 victories. The teams have drawn 32 times. Galatasaray have scored 197 goals in those matches, compared with 159 for Trabzonspor.
Galatasaray hold recent advantage
The Istanbul club have lost only once in their last 10 official meetings with Trabzonspor. Galatasaray have won seven and drawn two of those matches, scoring 23 goals and conceding eight.
Their only defeat during that stretch came in a 2-1 Süper Lig loss to Trabzonspor on Jan. 23, 2022.
Galatasaray have also dominated the rivalry under coach Okan Buruk in league play. Since the start of the 2022-23 season, Buruk’s side have faced Trabzonspor eight times in the Süper Lig, winning five, drawing two and losing once.
Saturday’s match will be Buruk’s 23rd as a coach against Trabzonspor. His teams have recorded 10 wins, six draws and six defeats against the Black Sea club across his managerial career.
Trabzonspor have the home edge
Despite Galatasaray’s recent dominance, Trabzonspor have historically held the advantage in home league meetings.
The teams have played 53 Süper Lig matches in Trabzon, with the hosts winning 21, Galatasaray winning 19 and 13 ending in draws. Trabzonspor have scored 64 goals in those matches, while Galatasaray have scored 69.
Forty-three of those games were played at the former Hüseyin Avni Aker Stadium, while 10 have been held at the current Papara Park.
Galatasaray’s biggest league wins over Trabzonspor came in a 5-1 victory in Trabzon on Jan. 21, 2024, and a 4-0 home win on May 26, 2001.
Trabzonspor’s biggest victory in the rivalry came on Sept. 1, 2018, when they defeated Galatasaray 4-0 at home.
The highest-scoring meeting between the sides came on Nov. 15, 1998, when Trabzonspor won 5-3 in Istanbul.
107th Süper Lig meeting
Saturday’s encounter will be the 107th between the clubs in the Süper Lig. Galatasaray have won 47 of the previous 106 league meetings, compared with 33 victories for Trabzonspor, while 26 matches have ended in draws.
Galatasaray have scored 143 league goals against Trabzonspor, while the Black Sea side have found the net 121 times.
For Galatasaray, the match also represents another opportunity to build on their strong start under Buruk. However, their away record in 2026 has included four league defeats, the most they have suffered away from home in a calendar year during his tenure.
Galatasaray’s four away league defeats this year have come against Beşiktaş, Konyaspor, Trabzonspor and Kasımpaşa.
Harry Kane says the 2025-26 season was the best of his career, but the Bayern Munich striker is leaving the Ballon d’Or decision to the voters.
Kane scored 73 goals for Bayern and England last season, the second-highest single-season total in football history behind Lionel Messi’s 82 in 2011-12. He also won the European Golden Shoe after finishing as the leading scorer across Europe’s major domestic leagues.
Those numbers have put Kane among the leading contenders for the Ballon d’Or, alongside Spain and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal and France and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé.
Yet Kane, who has never won the award, remains reluctant to campaign for himself.
“I’ve never liked talking too much about myself,” Kane told Spanish newspaper Marca in an interview published Friday. “The only thing I’d say is that last season was incredible, both personally and for the team. It was, by far, the best season of my life.”
The 73-goal haul was a source of particular pride for Kane, although he acknowledged that individual statistics alone will not decide the award.
“I’m extremely proud of that, but the Ballon d’Or isn’t in my hands. It depends on the people who vote,” he said.
Kane also played a key role for England, helping the team reach the World Cup semifinals, while Bayern enjoyed a strong campaign domestically and in Europe.
No English player has won the men’s Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001, adding another layer of significance to Kane’s candidacy.
But rather than dwell on the award, Kane said he has already moved on from last season and is focused on what comes next.
“As far as I’m concerned, last season is in the past,” he said. “Now I’m focused on this one and I’m looking forward to seeing what else I can achieve.”
The Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 26 in London, Kane’s hometown. That has added an intriguing twist for the Bayern striker, who spent much of his career at Tottenham Hotspur before moving to Germany.
Kane stopped short of saying the London setting was a sign he would win, but admitted the location could make the occasion especially meaningful.
“Perhaps it is a good omen,” Kane said. “Of course, having it take place in my hometown would make it even more special. So yes, it feels strange that the ceremony is being held there this year.”
The 2026 Ballon d’Or race is shaping up as one of the most difficult to call in years, with no single candidate clearly separating himself from the field.
Kylian Mbappe has the scoring numbers and individual accolades. Harry Kane has combined elite production with domestic and European success.
Lamine Yamal has been central to Barcelona and Spain’s biggest achievements. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia produced a standout Champions League campaign, while Michael Olise quietly assembled one of the most complete seasons of the group.
The debate has become even more complicated because this is a World Cup year, giving international performances an added weight in the discussion.
Mbappe’s scoring case
Mbappe’s argument is built largely around individual production.
The Real Madrid forward finished as the Champions League’s top scorer, won the La Liga Pichichi and claimed the World Cup Golden Boot. Those achievements give him a compelling statistical case, and former France striker Thierry Henry has also backed him for the award.
Mbappe himself has made no secret of his belief that he has done enough to win the Ballon d’Or.
The counterargument is that leading the scoring charts is not necessarily the same as being the best player. The Ballon d’Or recognizes individual excellence, but goals are already recognized through separate Golden Boot awards.
Mbappe also finished the season without a major team trophy, a significant weakness in his candidacy. Critics have questioned his defensive contribution and overall influence on Real Madrid, arguing that his impressive statistics did not consistently translate into team success.
That distinction will be central to the debate. If scoring numbers are the primary criterion, Mbappe has a formidable case. If overall influence and winning achievements carry greater weight, his argument becomes more complicated.
Kane’s all-around case
Harry Kane offers perhaps the clearest alternative to the Mbappe argument.
The Bayern Munich striker scored more than 70 goals across competitions while also contributing heavily as a creator. He was a regular throughout the season and played a major role in Bayern’s domestic success.
Kane also produced in important Champions League matches, scoring against Real Madrid and contributing a goal and an assist in the return leg. He then scored and assisted against Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals.
His international campaign further strengthens his case. Kane played an important role for England at the World Cup, including a two-goal performance against the Democratic Republic of Congo, and he continued to provide goals and leadership throughout the tournament.
The main argument against Kane is that he was not universally regarded as the best player in either of his major environments. Michael Olise was named Bundesliga Player of the Season, while Jude Bellingham had a particularly strong tournament for England.
Still, Kane’s supporters can point to the combination of production, creativity, consistency, big-game performances and team success.
Yamal’s influence beyond the numbers
Lamine Yamal presents a different type of Ballon d’Or case.
The Barcelona winger was named La Liga Player of the Season and played a central role in Spain’s World Cup triumph. Yet his international campaign did not produce the kind of defining moments that have become synonymous with his performances.
That has weakened his case in the eyes of some voters.
Yamal did not dominate the World Cup statistically, but his influence extended beyond goals and assists. His dribbling, creativity and ability to attract defenders made him an important part of Spain’s attacking structure.
He was among the tournament’s leading dribblers and remained influential even when he was not producing directly on the scoresheet.
The problem is that Ballon d’Or debates are often shaped by memorable moments. Yamal had produced those moments previously, including during Spain’s European Championship run, but his World Cup lacked a comparable signature performance.
That does not erase his contribution to Spain’s title, but it explains why his candidacy remains contested despite an exceptional club season and a World Cup triumph.
Kvaratskhelia’s UCL argument
Kvaratskhelia’s case is heavily tied to his Champions League performance.
The Paris Saint-Germain winger was named Champions League Player of the Season after playing a major role in the competition, particularly during the knockout stages.
His overall numbers were also impressive, with 19 goals and 11 assists across all competitions.
But his domestic campaign presents a significant weakness. He scored only eight goals in Ligue 1 and was not as influential domestically as the leading candidates competing for the Ballon d’Or.
His situation is further complicated by Georgia’s absence from the World Cup. That is not something Kvaratskhelia could control, but the lack of an international tournament campaign removes an important opportunity to strengthen his case in a World Cup year.
His Champions League campaign was outstanding, but whether that is enough to outweigh his relatively modest domestic contribution and absence from the World Cup is central to his candidacy.
Olise’s overlooked campaign
Michael Olise may have received less attention than the other leading candidates despite putting together an exceptional season.
The Bayern Munich winger recorded 22 goals and 28 assists across all competitions and was named Bundesliga Player of the Season.
He was also influential in the Champions League and produced important performances against elite opposition. His creativity and ability to create opportunities made him one of Bayern’s most important attacking players.
Olise’s World Cup campaign was less consistent, but he still made a significant contribution for France and set a record for the most assists in a single World Cup campaign.
His case is therefore built around balance. He combined goals, assists, chance creation, off-ball work and team success rather than relying primarily on one statistical category.
That makes the gap between Olise and the more heavily discussed candidates particularly interesting. His numbers compare favorably with Mbappe’s in several areas, while his influence at Bayern came within a team that achieved major domestic success.
An unusually open race
The defining feature of the 2026 Ballon d’Or debate is the absence of a universally dominant candidate.
Mbappe has the goals and individual scoring awards. Kane has extraordinary production alongside team success. Yamal has been influential for both Barcelona and Spain. Kvaratskhelia has a compelling Champions League resume, while Olise has combined elite creativity with domestic dominance.
Each candidate also has an obvious weakness.
That is what makes this race different from the years dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. There is no straightforward statistical argument that settles the discussion, and there is no player whose season was flawless across every competition.
The Ballon d’Or will ultimately require voters to weigh individual production, team success, performances in major competitions and overall influence differently.
The debate is unlikely to end before the votes are counted, because each of the leading candidates has a legitimate body of work to put forward.
And that may be exactly what makes this year’s Ballon d’Or race so compelling.
Mohamed Salah has a new coach at Trabzonspor after the Turkish Süper Lig club on Thursday hired Thomas Reis, who cited the lure of working with the former Liverpool star.
Trabzonspor said the German coach signed a two-year contract to leave Bulgarian club Ludogorets. He replaces Fatih Tekke, who resigned early this month after the team suffered two losses and were eliminated from the Europa League.
Salah is the marquee signing at Trabzonspor this season following a stellar nine-year spell at Liverpool, working mostly with German coach Jurgen Klopp. The Egyptian star has scored four goals in five league games so far.
“Working with a player of his caliber is perhaps one of the best things that can happen to a coach,” Reis said in a club statement, adding he would give Salah “freedom in attack.”
Reis previously coached in the Turkish league, taking unheralded Samsunspor to a third-place finish two seasons ago behind Istanbul powerhouses Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe.
“I know this place and I know how intense the games are here,” the coach said.
Ludogorets said in a statement that they were surprised by the offer to take Reis, who expressed a wish to work at Trabzonspor with talents like Salah, Fabinho and goalkeeper Andre Onana.
The Black Sea club will pay Ludogorets 900,000 euros ($1.06 million) in compensation for terminating the 52-year-old coach’s contract.
Reis will receive a guaranteed salary of 1 million euros for the 2026-27 season and 1.2 million euros for the 2027-28 campaign, the club said.
Trabzonspor, which won the last of their seven Turkish league titles in 2022, are ninth in the standings after five rounds.
Trabzonspor lost 1-0 to Konyaspor last week and will face Galatasaray this Saturday.
The team start a six-game program in the Conference League in Finland at KuPS Kuopio on Oct. 15.
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