Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal are expected to fight it out for the 2026 Ballon d’Or after today being named on the list of 30 nominees for football’s biggest individual prize.
Messi returned to the shortlist for the first time in three years following his remarkable performances at the World Cup, where he guided Argentina to the final before losing to Spain.
The 39-year-old also had another brilliant year with Inter Miami in the United States, helping them win a maiden MLS Cup in December.
Messi has won the award eight times previously but it would be a major surprise if he were to add a ninth.
His long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has five Ballons d’Or to his name, was not included despite helping Al-Nassr to the title in Saudi Arabia.
Kane is favourite with the bookmakers after netting 61 times for Bayern Munich in all competitions as they clinched another league and cup double. The 33-year-old also scored six times as England finished third at the World Cup.
France captain Mbappe scored 42 goals in 44 games for Real Madrid last season, and added another 10 in the United States, Canada and Mexico over the summer. But Madrid’s failure to land any major silverware could hamper his chances.
Yamal lifted La Liga – he scored 16 times as the Catalans retained the trophy – and also played a key role as Spain backed up their 2024 European Championship success by winning the World Cup.
There are nine members of the team that helped PSG retain the Champions League, including 2025 winner Ousmane Dembele.
The full list of nominees for the men’s 2026 Ballon d’Or award
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona)
Marc Cucurella (Real Madrid)
Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich)
Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Gabriel (Arsenal)
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG)
Marquinhos (PSG)
Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr)
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
Nuno Mendes (PSG)
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
Joao Neves (PSG)
Willian Pacho (PSG)
Julian Quinones (Al-Qadsiah)
Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Rodri (Barcelona)
Fabian Ruiz (PSG)
Ferran Torres (PSG)
William Saliba (Arsenal)
Dayor Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
Vitinha (PSG)
How does the voting for the Ballon d’Or work?
The 30-player shortlist for the main awards is voted for by a panel of journalists from France Football and L’Equipe.
One journalist from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings then votes for their top 10 from each list with each position afforded a certain number of points.
- First Place: 15 points
- Second Place: 12 points
- Third place: 10 points
- Fourth place: 8 points
- Fifth place: 7 points
- Sixth place: 5 points
- Seventh place: 4 points
- Eighth place: 3 points
- Ninth place: 2 points
- Tenth place: 1 point
Which players have won the award previously?
Men’s award:
2025: Ousmane Dembele
2024: Rodri
2023: Lionel Messi
2022: Karim Benzema
2021: Lionel Messi
2019: Lionel Messi
Women’s award:
2025: Aitana Bonmati
2024: Aitana Bonmati
2023: Aitana Bonmati
2022: Alexia Putellas
2021: Alexia Putellas
2019: Megan Rapinoe
When will the award be handed out?
The ceremony will take place on Monday, October 26 in London.
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