Kane, Mbappé, Messi and others: Full list of 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees revealed
The winner will be announced on October 26 (photo: x.com/ballondor).
French magazine France Football has officially announced the list of nominees for the most prestigious individual award in world football for the 2025/26 season, according to the official Ballon d'Or website.
A historic ceremony
The Ballon d'Or is celebrating its 70th anniversary – the first award ceremony was held in 1956. The winner will be announced at a gala ceremony in London on October 26. The symbolic choice of the British capital is a tribute to legendary footballer Stanley Matthews, who became the first-ever recipient of the award.
It is worth noting that this is the first time in history that the France Football Ballon d'Or will be presented outside France.
The main favorites of the season
The main favorite to win the trophy is Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, who scored 73 goals for his club and national team last season.
Other strong contenders include Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal, Vitinha, and reigning winner Ousmane Dembélé. Lionel Messi is also competing for his ninth Ballon d'Or.
Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning Champions League winner, has the most nominees. The Parisian club is represented by nine players, including summer signing Ferran Torres, who scored the decisive goal in the World Cup final.
Full list of 2026 Ballon d'Or nominees:
- Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
- Pau Cubarsí (Spain, Barcelona)
- Marc Cucurella (Spain, Real Madrid)
- Ousmane Dembélé (France, PSG)
- Luis Díaz (Colombia, Bayern Munich)
- Bruno Fernandes (Portugal, Manchester United)
- Gabriel (Brazil, Arsenal)
- Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, PSG)
- Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia, PSG)
- Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
- Sadio Mané (Senegal, Al-Nassr)
- Marquinhos (Brazil, PSG)
- Lautaro Martínez (Argentina, Inter Milan)
- Kylian Mbappé (France, Real Madrid)
- Nuno Mendes (Portugal, PSG)
- Lionel Messi (Argentina, Inter Miami)
- João Neves (Portugal, PSG)
- Michael Olise (France, Bayern Munich)
- Willian Pacho (Ecuador, PSG)
- Julián Quiñones (México, Al-Qadsiah)
- Declan Rice (England, Arsenal)
- Rodri (Spain, Barcelona)
- Fabián Ruiz (Spain, PSG)
- William Saliba (France, Arsenal)
- Ferran Torres (Spain, PSG)
- Dayot Upamecano (France, Bayern Munich)
- Vinícius Júnior (Brazil, Real Madrid)
- Vitinha (Portugal, PSG)
Other categories and nominees
In addition to the main award, the organizers announced nominees in other categories:
- Best young player: Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Warren Zaïre-Emery and others.
- Best goalkeeper: David Raya, Thibaut Courtois, Emiliano Martínez and World Cup 2026 hero Vozinha.
- Coach of the Year: Mikel Arteta, Luis Enrique, Luis de la Fuente, Unai Emery, Vincent Kompany.
Representatives of women's football will also receive awards during the ceremony in London.
