Ballon d'Or 2026 Nominees Include Messi, Mbappé, Yamal

France Football unveiled the 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, featuring Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Lamine Yamal. The annual awards, now in their 70th edition, will occur in London on October 26, 2026, marking the first ceremony outside Paris since 2019.

The selection recognizes player performances during the 2025–26 club season and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ousmane Dembélé, the 2025 winner, is among the contenders aiming to retain the prestigious individual honor.

Top Contenders for Football's Premier Award Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé, who secured the 2025 Ballon d’Or after leading his club to a historic season, stands as a favorite to win again. His competition includes Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé, Barcelona's emerging talent Lamine Yamal, Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior, and Spain midfielder Rodri also feature prominently on the list. Messi's Final International Campaign Recognized Argentina captain Lionel Messi earned a nomination following another strong campaign, which concluded with his retirement from international football after more than two decades. His inclusion highlights sustained elite performance across a lengthy career.

Global Talent Across Multiple Categories Notable names include Michael Olise The 30-player men's shortlist encompasses a wide array of talent from top clubs globally. Notable names include Michael Olise, Florian Wirtz, Jude Bellingham, Pedri, Cole Palmer, Achraf Hakimi, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Robert Lewandowski. France Football also announced nominees for additional categories, including the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper, Coach of the Year, Young Talent of the Year, Club of the Year, and the Women’s Ballon d’Or. The women's shortlist features international stars such as Alexia Putellas, Ewa Pajor, and Caroline Graham Hansen. Ceremony Moves to London for 70th Edition The 2026 ceremony's relocation to London honors England legend Sir Stanley Matthews, the inaugural Ballon d’Or winner in 1956. This marks a significant shift for the event, traditionally held in Paris, underscoring the award's global reach and historical roots.