Ballon d'Or 2026 Shortlist: Key Stars Absent, Others Shine

"France Football" magazine, in collaboration with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), has unveiled the final shortlist of nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or award. The list features 30 players vying for the title of the world's best player, marking the absence of prominent names and a notable presence of recently distinguished stars. Among the candidates, several top football stars stood out, including Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Ousmane Dembélé, and Erling Haaland. The list also comprised players who excelled last season and with their national teams in the 2026 World Cup. Notably, Lionel Messi, an eight-time winner of the award, maintained his presence despite his advanced age. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembélé, the reigning title holder, re-enters the race to defend his award. The list also included Moroccan player Achraf Hakimi. Furthermore, two players from the Saudi Roshan League appeared among the nominees: Senegalese Sadio Mané, representing Al-Nassr club, and Mexican Julián Quiñones, Al-Qadsiah's striker. Paris Saint-Germain players, the European champions, dominated the list with nine nominees, while the Spanish national team, the world champions, had strong representation among the selected names. In one of the most significant surprises of this list, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo was absent from the Ballon d'Or race, thus ending a long series of consecutive appearances among the award's nominees. The list also excluded Egyptian star Mohamed Salah, Brazilian Raphinha, and Spanish Pedri, despite their remarkable performances in recent seasons. **Complete List of Nominees:** Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England) Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona, Spain) Marc Cucurella (Chelsea, Spain) Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain, France) Luis Díaz (Bayern Munich, Colombia) Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United, Portugal) Gabriel (Arsenal, Brazil) Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway) Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco) Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England) Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain, Georgia) Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain) Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr, Senegal) Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain, Brazil) Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan, Argentina) Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid, France) Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal) Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina) João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal) Michael Olise (Bayern Munich, France) Willian Pacho (Paris Saint-Germain, Ecuador) Julián Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah, Mexico) Declan Rice (Arsenal, England) Rodri (Manchester City, Spain) Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain, Spain) William Saliba (Arsenal, France) Ferran Torres (Barcelona, Spain) Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich, France) Vinicius Júnior (Real Madrid, Brazil) Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal) The identity of the Ballon d'Or winner is scheduled to be announced during the official ceremony to be held on October 26, 2026, in the British capital, London. The ceremony will also feature the announcement of winners for other awards, including the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper and the Kopa Trophy for best young player.