By Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal headline a 30-player shortlist unveiled for the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or, with several of football’s biggest names in contention for the prestigious individual prize.
France Football announced the nominees on Tuesday, with the award recognising performances during the 2025/26 season, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Messi, 39, secured a record-extending 17th Ballon d’Or nomination despite retiring from international football in August. The Inter Miami forward has previously won the award eight times, in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023.
Barcelona teenager Yamal, meanwhile, received his third nomination after another standout campaign with the Catalan club and Spain.
The 19-year-old winger was part of Spain’s World Cup-winning side and also helped Barcelona secure the Spanish league title and Super Cup. His goals and assists further strengthened his case among the world’s elite players.
Full list of 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees
- Jude Bellingham — England
- Pau Cubarsí — Spain
- Marc Cucurella — Spain
- Ousmane Dembélé — France
- Luis Díaz — Colombia
- Bruno Fernandes — Portugal
- Gabriel — Brazil
- Erling Haaland — Norway
- Achraf Hakimi — Morocco
- Harry Kane — England
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — Georgia
- Lamine Yamal — Spain
- Sadio Mané — Senegal
- Marquinhos — Brazil
- Lautaro Martínez — Argentina
- Kylian Mbappé — France
- Nuno Mendes — Portugal
- Lionel Messi — Argentina
- João Neves — Portugal
- Michael Olise — France
- Willian Pacho — Ecuador
- Julián Quiñones — Mexico
- Declan Rice — England
- Rodri — Spain
- Fabián Ruiz — Spain
- William Saliba — France
- Ferran Torres — Spain
- Dayot Upamecano — France
- Vinícius Jr. — Brazil
- Vitinha — Portugal
Historic Ballon d’Or ceremony
The 2026 ceremony is scheduled for October 26 in London.
It will be the first time the Ballon d’Or ceremony has been held outside Paris, with organizers choosing London to mark the 70th anniversary of the award and honour its inaugural winner, Stanley Matthews.
