France Football officially unveiled the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, with Lionel Messi securing his 17th career nomination. The 70th edition of the prestigious awards ceremony will take place on Monday, October 26, 2026, in London, marking the first time the event will be held in the English capital.
Messi’s inclusion on the 2026 shortlist continues his remarkable longevity at the highest level of football. The Inter Miami forward is now just one nomination behind the all-time record of 18, held by his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who was notably absent from this year’s list.
The 39-year-old is pursuing a record-extending ninth Ballon d’Or, having previously won the award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023. His most recent victory came three years ago following Argentina’s World Cup triumph in Qatar.
Messi secured his place on the shortlist through an exceptional 2025/26 season with Inter Miami and a strong showing at the 2026 World Cup with the Argentine national team. He led Argentina to the final of the tournament, further cementing his legacy on the international stage.
His domestic form was equally impressive. During the 2025/26 season, Messi recorded 45 goals and 30 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions, while also helping Inter Miami clinch the MLS Cup. Other reports have cited 31 goals and 16 assists in 35 matches, underscoring his continued influence on the pitch despite his advancing years.
Full List of 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or Nominees
The 30 nominees for the men’s award are:
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
- Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona)
- Marc Cucurella (Real Madrid)
- Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain) – Reigning champion
- 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 (Bayern Munich)
- Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)
- Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)
Ousmane Dembélé, who won the 2025 Ballon d’Or, is among the nominees and will seek to defend his title against a competitive field.
The most notable omission from the shortlist is Cristiano Ronaldo, who misses out for the first time in nearly two decades. The Portuguese forward had been a fixture on the Ballon d’Or nominee list since 2004, making his absence a significant talking point.
Beyond Messi and Dembélé, the 2026 shortlist features several strong contenders, including Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, and Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. The presence of young talents like Yamal and Pau Cubarsí signals a generational shift in world football.
The Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held in London for the first time on October 26, 2026. Football fans worldwide will be watching to see whether Messi can secure a ninth golden ball or if a new name will be etched onto the trophy.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
