(JUST IN) BALLON D’OR 2026: MESSI, MBAPPÉ, YAMAL, HAALAND, KANE MAKE 30-MAN SHORTLIST

By ‘Sefiu Ajape 

Eight-time winner Lionel Messi, defending champion Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have been named among the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

France Football unveiled the shortlist on Tuesday, September 8, setting up a highly competitive race for the prestigious individual prize, with the winner to be announced at a ceremony in London on October 26.

The 2026 edition has attracted particular attention because of the return of Messi to the shortlist, having missed out in the previous two editions. However, Cristiano Ronaldo has again been left out of the nominees.

Kane enters the race as one of the leading contenders following a prolific campaign with Bayern Munich and England. He scored 61 goals for Bayern and another six for England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while helping Bayern to domestic honours. A victory would make him the first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001.

Barcelona’s teenage sensation Yamal is also among the major contenders after a standout season with club and country. The Spaniard helped Barcelona retain the La Liga title before playing a role in Spain’s World Cup triumph.

Rodri, another Spanish World Cup winner, is also on the shortlist and could become a major challenger after being named the tournament’s best player. The Manchester City midfielder is seeking a second Ballon d’Or, having won the award in 2024.

Mbappé is another leading name on the list after an outstanding campaign, while Haaland, Rice and Vitinha also make the final 30.

Last year’s winner Dembélé has been nominated again after helping Paris Saint-Germain to major success. PSG have a record 10 players on the shortlist, the highest representation ever by a single club. The nominees include Dembélé, Vitinha, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Willian Pacho, Marquinhos, Fabián Ruiz and Ferran Torres.

Other notable nominees include Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, Michael Olise, Lautaro Martínez, Luis Díaz, Sadio Mané, Bruno Fernandes, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Pau Cubarsí and Julián Quiñones.

The shortlist also features three Brazilian players — Vinícius Júnior, Gabriel Magalhães and Marquinhos — while Raphinha misses out. Ronaldo is also absent from the nominees.

The award will be decided based on individual performances, collective achievements and sporting conduct. The assessment period covers the 2025/26 season and major international competitions, including the 2026 World Cup.

The 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on October 26, 2026, in London, marking the first time the prestigious ceremony will be held in the British capital. The choice of London also commemorates the 70th anniversary of the award and its inaugural winner, England’s Stanley Matthews, in 1956.

With Kane’s goalscoring record, Spain’s World Cup success, Yamal’s emergence, Rodri’s tournament influence and the continued brilliance of Mbappé, Dembélé and Messi, the 2026 Ballon d’Or race is set for a closely watched final battle before the winner is crowned in October.