ไทย
English
中國人
The Ballon d'Or ceremony has grown into a showcase of footballing greatness, honoring much more than simply the top male and female players on the planet.
From shot-stoppers and prolific strikers to emerging talents, France Football has rolled out a number of awards to recognize achievements across the sport. Among the more recent additions is the Johan Cruyff Trophy, which has swiftly become a major talking point in the lead-up to the annual event.
But what exactly is the award, when did it debut, and who has won it previously? Here's everything you need to know ahead of the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony.
What Is the Johan Cruyff Trophy?
Launched by France Football in 2024, the Johan Cruyff Trophy is presented each year to the standout coaches in men's and women's soccer.
The accolade pays homage to Johan Cruyff, the Dutch legend who claimed three Ballon d'Or titles during his playing days and later left a lasting legacy as a manager at Ajax and Barcelona.
Cruyff passed away in 2016, yet his enduring impact on the sport continues to be honored through the award that carries his name.
Who Was Johan Cruyff?
Johan Cruyff is broadly considered one of soccer's all-time greats and most transformative figures, with his contribution to the game reaching well beyond his on-field accomplishments.
During his years at Ajax, Cruyff became the central figure of Total Football, the groundbreaking style synonymous with Dutch coach Rinus Michels. The system prioritized positional fluidity, tactical adaptability and intelligent movement, enabling players to occupy different zones of the pitch rather than being locked into fixed roles.
Though officially a center forward, Cruyff regularly dropped into deeper positions, drifted wide and roamed across the field to unsettle opposing defenses. His outstanding technique, vision and spatial awareness made him the perfect embodiment of the philosophy. With Cruyff at the helm, Ajax captured three successive European Cups from 1971 to 1973, cementing their status as one of the era's defining clubs.
Cruyff subsequently carried those principles into his managerial career, first at Ajax and then at Barcelona. At the Catalan club, he helped forge a possession-oriented approach built on intelligent movement, positional rotation and technical quality. His sides focused on building play from the back, deploying defenders creatively and nurturing young talent from Barcelona's renowned La Masia academy.
That philosophy helped lay the groundwork for Barcelona's subsequent triumphs under Pep Guardiola, who expanded upon Cruyff's ideas. His influence continues to shape the modern game, with many of the principles he championed now fundamental to the world's top clubs.
Past Winners of the Johan Cruyff Trophy
Since its debut in 2024, the Johan Cruyff Trophy has celebrated four coaches for their accomplishments in men's and women's soccer.
Carlo Ancelotti took home the first men's award after steering Real Madrid to a La Liga and UEFA Champions League double in the 2023–24 season, while Emma Hayes was honored for leading Chelsea to a fifth straight Women's Super League title in her farewell season at the club.
In 2025, Luis Enrique received the men's trophy after guiding Paris Saint-Germain to a historic treble, claiming Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the club's maiden Champions League crown. Sarina Wiegman earned the women's award after steering England to a second straight UEFA Women's European Championship, beating Spain on penalties in the Euro 2025 final.
Johan Cruyff Trophy: All Winners
Year | Men's Winner | Women's Winner |
|---|---|---|
2024 | Carlo Ancelotti | Emma Hayes |
2025 | Luis Enrique | Sarina Wiegman |
2026 Johan Cruyff Trophy: All Nominees
Ten coaches have been nominated for the 2026 Johan Cruyff Trophy, with five candidates apiece in the men's and women's categories.
Luis Enrique appears among the men's nominees once again after leading PSG to back-to-back Ligue 1 and Champions League titles. Spain boss Luis de la Fuente earns a nod for taking his nation to 2026 World Cup glory, while Mikel Arteta has been shortlisted after steering Arsenal to the Premier League crown.
Unai Emery joins the list after guiding Aston Villa to Europa League success, with Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany rounding out the men's nominees.
On the women's side, a first-time winner is guaranteed.
Barcelona's Pere Romeu is among the contenders, alongside Manchester City manager Andree Jeglertz and former Japan coach Nils Nielsen. Jonatan Giráldez, who heads OL Lyonnes, is also in contention, while Elena Sadiku completes the list following a remarkable campaign. Sadiku began the season at Celtic before taking the reins at BK Häcken and leading the Swedish side to a historic Europa Cup triumph.