Lionel Messi and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal have been named among the 30 nominees for the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or award.
France Football unveiled the shortlist on Tuesday, September 8, with some of the biggest names in world football included in the race for the prestigious individual honour.
Messi, an eight-time winner of the award, returns to the shortlist after missing out in the previous two editions. The Inter Miami forward is seeking a potential ninth Ballon d’Or crown.
Yamal, who finished as runner-up in the 2025 voting, is also among the leading contenders following another outstanding campaign for club and country.
Other notable nominees include England captain Harry Kane, Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Rodri, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz.
The 2026 shortlist also features several players who impressed during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Spain’s strong performance reflected in the nominations. Rodri, Yamal and other members of the Spanish squad are among the contenders.
Messi’s nomination is particularly notable because he could become the first player playing outside Europe to win the Ballon d’Or. He has continued to produce impressive numbers with Inter Miami and also played a major role for Argentina at the World Cup.
The Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to take place on October 26, 2026, in London, where the winners of the various categories will be announced.
The men’s Ballon d’Or remains one of football’s most prestigious individual awards, with the winner determined through voting by international journalists.
Full 30-man men’s Ballon d’Or shortlist:
- Jude Bellingham
- Michael Olise
- Lamine Yamal
- Lionel Messi
- Kylian Mbappe
- Harry Kane
- Erling Haaland
- Vinicius Junior
- Rodri
- Ousmane Dembele
- Luis Diaz
- Fabian Ruiz
- Vitinha
- Achraf Hakimi
- Pau Cubarsi
- Ferran Torres
- Marquinhos
- Gabriel Magalhaes
- David Raya
- Lautaro Martinez
- Federico Valverde
- Declan Rice
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
- Randal Kolo Muani
- Jamal Musiala
- Florian Wirtz
- Alisson Becker
- Victor Osimhen
- William Saliba
- Martin Odegaard