Marc Cucurella receives Ballon d'Or backing from former Bayern Munich manager

Wolfgang Felix Magath, a former Bayern Munich manager, has endorsed Marc Cucurella for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, citing the defender's role in Spain's World Cup victory. Cucurella is among 30 nominees for the prestigious award, with the winner announced on October 26 in London. Magath highlighted Cucurella's defensive strength and consistent performance at left-back, arguing that defenders should receive greater recognition in awards typically dominated by attackers. The award's voting criteria evaluate individual performances alongside team achievements. Cucurella humorously remarked about his nomination during a recent press conference, acknowledging competition from his Real Madrid teammates.

• 7:00 AMYahoo Sports — Former Bayern Munich manager backs Real Madrid defender in Ballon d’Or race: ‘Played a big role in winning the World Cup’