AFCON 2025
France Football and UEFA have officially unveiled the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or, with some of the biggest names in world football included among the contenders for the prestigious individual prize.
The shortlist features a mix of established superstars, emerging talents and influential players from Europe’s leading clubs, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Arsenal.
Real Madrid have several representatives on the list, with Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior among their nominees. Barcelona are represented by Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Rodri and Ferran Torres, while Paris Saint-Germain have the largest contingent, including Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Willian Pacho, Fabián Ruiz and Vitinha.
The Premier League is also strongly represented, with Erling Haaland and Bruno Fernandes joined by Arsenal trio Gabriel Magalhães, Declan Rice and William Saliba.
Elsewhere, Bayern Munich have Luis Díaz, Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Dayot Upamecano on the shortlist, while Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martínez and Manchester City forward Haaland also remain in contention.
One of the most notable names on the list is Lionel Messi, who earns another Ballon d’Or nomination following his move to Inter Miami. Saudi Pro League star Sadio Mané and Al-Qadsiah forward Julián Quiñones also make the cut.
Full 30-man shortlist
- Jude Bellingham — Real Madrid
- Pau Cubarsí — FC Barcelona
- Ousmane Dembélé — Paris Saint-Germain
- Marc Cucurella — Chelsea / Real Madrid
- Luis Díaz — Bayern Munich
- Bruno Fernandes — Manchester United
- Erling Haaland — Manchester City
- Gabriel Magalhães — Arsenal
- Harry Kane — Bayern Munich
- Achraf Hakimi — Paris Saint-Germain
- Lamine Yamal — FC Barcelona
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — Paris Saint-Germain
- 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 / FC Barcelona
- Fabián Ruiz — Paris Saint-Germain
- William Saliba — Arsenal
- Ferran Torres — FC Barcelona / Paris Saint-Germain
- Dayot Upamecano — Bayern Munich
- Vinícius Júnior — Real Madrid
- Vitinha — Paris Saint-Germain
The 2026 Ballon d’Or winner will be crowned at the official ceremony in London on October 26, 2026, where the world’s attention will turn to the player judged to have enjoyed the finest individual campaign.
