Messi

The organisers of the Ballon d’Or have unveiled the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 edition of football’s most prestigious individual award, with global stars Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Lamine Yamal among the nominees.

The list, released on Tuesday, features a blend of established superstars and emerging talents who impressed for club and country during the 2025/26 season.

England captain Harry Kane headlines the nominees alongside Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, while Brazil’s Vinicius Junior also earned a place on the shortlist after another standout campaign.

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Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have a strong representation with Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, William Pacho, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia all making the cut.

Spain’s contingent includes teenage star Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Pau Cubarsí, Marc Cucurella, Ferran Torres, and Fabián Ruiz.

Other notable nominees are Bruno Fernandes, Lautaro Martínez, Luis Díaz, Sadio Mané, Michael Olise, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Gabriel Magalhães, and Julián Quiñones.

The Ballon d’Or is awarded annually to the player judged to have delivered the most outstanding performances over the season, with the winner to be announced at the awards ceremony in October 2026.

See the full list below:

BALLON D’OR 2026 — THE 30 NOMINEES

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Harry Kane
🇧🇷 Vinicius Jr
🇪🇸 Fabián Ruiz
🇵🇹 Vitinha
🇪🇸 Ferran Torres
🇫🇷 William Saliba
🇫🇷 Dayot Upamecano
🇵🇹 Bruno Fernandes
🇪🇸 Pau Cubarsí
🇪🇸 Marc Cucurella
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Jude Bellingham
🇫🇷 Ousmane Dembélé
🇨🇴 Luis Diaz
🇪🇸 Lamine Yamal
🇳🇴 Erling Haaland
🇧🇷 Gabriel Magalhães
🇲🇦 Achraf Hakimi
🇬🇪 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
🇦🇷 Lionel Messi
🇸🇳 Sadio Mané
🇧🇷 Marquinhos
🇦🇷 Lautaro Martínez
🇫🇷 Kylian Mbappé
🇵🇹 Nuno Mendes
🇵🇹 João Neves
🇫🇷 Michael Olise
🇪🇨 William Pacho
🇲🇽 Julián Quiñones
🇪🇸 Rodri
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Declan Rice

Ballon d’Or

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