Messi Haaland Kane Headline Ballon d’Or Nominees List

The nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or have officially been announced, with some of the biggest stars in world football included in the 30-man shortlist for the men’s award. Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal headline a field packed with players who delivered major performances for club and country over the past season. The full men’s shortlist also includes Pau Cubarsí, Marc Cucurella, Ousmane Dembélé, Luis Díaz, Bruno Fernandes, Gabriel, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Sadio Mané, Marquinhos, Lautaro Martínez, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Michael Olise, Willian Pacho, Julián Quiñones, Declan Rice, Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, William Saliba, Ferran Torres, Dayot Upamecano, Vinícius Júnior and Vitinha. Among the most eye-catching names is Harry Kane, who scored 73 goals across club and international football and helped Bayern Munich win a treble while also guiding England to the World Cup semi-finals. Haaland also enjoyed another prolific campaign with 58 goals for Manchester City and Norway, while Messi produced 75 combined goals and assists in 49 matches for Inter Miami and Argentina and helped his country reach the World Cup final. One of the biggest omissions is Cristiano Ronaldo, who was not included in the final 30 despite another strong season with Al-Nassr. The shortlist also contains several younger stars, particularly Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí, highlighting the growing influence of the next generation at the highest level. The women’s Ballon d’Or shortlist has also been confirmed, with names including Ewa Pajor, Alexia Putellas, Caroline Graham Hansen, Alessia Russo and Khadija Shaw among the leading contenders. UEFA and France Football also announced nominees for the Young Talent, Goalkeeper, Coach and Club of the Year awards. The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on October 26 at the London Palladium, celebrating the award’s 70th anniversary. It will be the first time the ceremony has been held in London, with the location chosen partly as a tribute to Stanley Matthews, the inaugural Ballon d’Or winner in 1956.