Photo: Collected
French football magazine ‘France Football’ has published a shortlist of 30 footballers for the 2026 Ballon d’Or trophy. Six players of world champions Spain have found a place on this list. Along with them, French star Ousmane Dembele, winner of the previous 2025 Ballon d’Or, and his teammate Kylian Mbappe have also made it onto the list.
Argentina star Lionel Messi has found a place on the shortlist for this prestigious award for the 17th time. Messi, who retired from international football on 31 August, this time has a bright chance of winning the Ballon d’Or for a record ninth time. On the other hand, Portugal’s five-time trophy winner Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of the shortlist for the 3rd time in a row; although the record of being nominated the most times in Ballon d’Or history, 18, is still in his possession.
Those who have made it onto this list from Spain are – Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Ferran Torres, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Cucurella and Fabian Ruiz. From England there are Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. Having scored 73 goals in a total of 65 matches for club and national team last season, Kane is far ahead in the race to win the Ballon d’Or. However, despite having a great season for Barcelona, Pedri and Raphinha did not find a place on this list. The name of the final winner will be announced at a gala event in London on 26 October.
List of nominees on the shortlist in the men’s category of the Ballon d’Or:
- Ousmane Dembele (PSG and France)
- Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid and France)
- Michael Olise (Bayern Munich and France)
- William Saliba (Arsenal and France)
- Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich and France)
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid and England)
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich and England)
- Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona and Spain)
- Marc Cucurella (Chelsea and Real Madrid and Spain)
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain)
- Rodri (Manchester City-Barcelona and Spain)
- Fabian Ruiz (PSG and Spain)
- Ferran Torres (Barcelona-PSG and Spain)
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami and Argentina)
- Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan and Argentina)
- Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich and Colombia)
- Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United and Portugal)
- Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal and Brazil)
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City and Norway)
- Achraf Hakimi (PSG and Morocco)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG and Georgia)
- Sadio Mane (Al Nassr and Senegal)
- Julian Quinones (Al Qadsiah and Mexico)
- Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid and Brazil)
- Marquinhos (PSG and Brazil)
- Nuno Mendes (PSG and Portugal)
- Vitinha (PSG and Portugal)
- Joao Neves (PSG and Portugal)
- Willian Pacho (PSG and Ecuador)
