The 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees have officially been revealed, with 30 of the world’s top footballers competing for one of the most prestigious individual awards in soccer.
The shortlist includes some of the sport’s biggest names, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Ousmane Dembélé.
So, who are the 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees?
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland and defending winner Ousmane Dembélé are among the 30 players nominated for the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or.
Here is the complete list of 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees.
2026 Ballon d’Or Nominees
The 30 nominees for the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or are:
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid |
| Pau Cubarsí | Barcelona |
| Marc Cucurella | Chelsea / Real Madrid |
| Ousmane Dembélé | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Luis Díaz | Bayern Munich |
| Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United |
| Gabriel | Arsenal |
| Erling Haaland | Manchester City |
| Achraf Hakimi | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Harry Kane | Bayern Munich |
| Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Lamine Yamal | Barcelona |
| Sadio Mané | Al-Nassr |
| Marquinhos | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Lautaro Martínez | Inter Milan |
| Kylian Mbappé | Real Madrid |
| Nuno Mendes | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Lionel Messi | Inter Miami |
| João Neves | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Michael Olise | Bayern Munich |
| Willian Pacho | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Julián Quiñones | Al-Qadsiah |
| Declan Rice | Arsenal |
| Rodri | Manchester City / Barcelona |
| Fabián Ruiz | Paris Saint-Germain |
| William Saliba | Arsenal |
| Ferran Torres | Barcelona / Paris Saint-Germain |
| Dayot Upamecano | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Vinícius Júnior | Real Madrid |
| Vitinha | Paris Saint-Germain |
Is Lionel Messi Nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or?
Yes. Lionel Messi is one of the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
Messi’s inclusion gives the Inter Miami star another opportunity to add to his record collection of Ballon d’Or trophies.
The Argentine superstar has won the award a record eight times, capturing the Ballon d’Or in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023.
Messi’s presence on the 2026 shortlist also gives Major League Soccer representation among the nominees.
Is Kylian Mbappé Nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or?
Yes. Kylian Mbappé is nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
The Real Madrid superstar is once again among the leading names competing for the award.
Mbappé has established himself as one of the world’s most prolific goalscorers and remains one of the most recognizable players in European football.
Winning the 2026 award would give Mbappé the first Ballon d’Or of his career.
Is Lamine Yamal Nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or?
Yes. Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is among the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
Yamal’s nomination continues his remarkable rise as one of the world’s premier young footballers.
The Barcelona winger has already emerged as a major player for both club and country despite still being in the early stages of his professional career.
A Ballon d’Or victory would further establish Yamal among the elite players of his generation.
Is Erling Haaland Nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or?
Yes. Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
Haaland remains one of world football’s most dangerous goalscorers and is once again in contention for the game’s biggest individual prize.
The Norwegian striker has been a consistent scoring threat for Manchester City since arriving in the Premier League.
Haaland has yet to win the Ballon d’Or.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo Nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or?
No. Cristiano Ronaldo is not among the 30 nominees for the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or.
The Portuguese superstar was left off the shortlist despite continuing his career with Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or five times, second only to Lionel Messi.
His five victories came in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.
Who Won the Ballon d’Or Last Year?
Ousmane Dembélé is the defending Ballon d’Or winner and is nominated again in 2026.
The Paris Saint-Germain star is therefore attempting to win the award in consecutive years.
Dembélé faces significant competition from a field featuring many of the world’s most accomplished attacking and midfield players.
How Many Players Are Nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or?
There are 30 players nominated for the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or.
The shortlist brings together leading players from European clubs along with stars playing outside Europe, including Messi at Inter Miami and Mané at Al-Nassr.
Paris Saint-Germain has particularly strong representation on the 2026 shortlist.
When Is the 2026 Ballon d’Or Ceremony?
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2026.
The ceremony will take place at the London Palladium in London, England.
It marks a change of venue for the prestigious awards ceremony, which has traditionally been associated with Paris.
The winner of the Men’s Ballon d’Or will be revealed during the ceremony.
Who Are the Favorites to Win the 2026 Ballon d’Or?
The 30-player shortlist features several legitimate contenders for the 2026 award.
Among the biggest names nominated are:
- Kylian Mbappé
- Lamine Yamal
- Lionel Messi
- Erling Haaland
- Harry Kane
- Ousmane Dembélé
- Jude Bellingham
- Vinícius Júnior
- Rodri
- Vitinha
Performances for both club and country will play a significant role in determining the eventual winner.
Ballon d’Or 2026 Key Information
| Ballon d’Or 2026 | Details |
|---|---|
| Award | Men’s Ballon d’Or |
| Number of Nominees | 30 |
| Defending Winner | Ousmane Dembélé |
| Most Career Wins | Lionel Messi (8) |
| Ceremony Date | October 26, 2026 |
| Ceremony Location | London Palladium, London |
| Awarded By | France Football |
The 2026 Ballon d’Or features another star-studded field, with established superstars competing alongside some of football’s brightest young players.
Messi has an opportunity to extend his record with a ninth Ballon d’Or, while players such as Mbappé, Yamal and Haaland are seeking to add the prestigious award to their careers.
The winner will ultimately be revealed at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony on October 26 in London.