Ballon d’Or nominees unveiled ahead of London ceremony
France Football, in collaboration with UEFA, has announced the nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, setting the scene for a historic ceremony in London on 26 October, marking the first time this prestigious event will be hosted on British soil, reports BritPanorama.
The men’s shortlist features 30 players, highlighting an impressive representation of the Premier League, including three England internationals. Paris Saint-Germain leads the nominations with nine players, confirming its dominance in European football. Ousmane Dembélé, last year’s winner, is once again in contention, aiming to secure a second consecutive title.
Debate has arisen over the absence of notable players such as Barcelona’s Raphinha and Cristiano Ronaldo from the final list. Meanwhile, English talents Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, and Declan Rice have all earned their places, underscoring their contributions to their clubs and national team.
Arsenal’s contingent is particularly noteworthy, with Rice joined by defensive stalwarts Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba, reflecting their strong showing in the Premier League and Champions League. Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes also enhance the representation of the English top flight among the world’s elite.
Among the former Premier League players nominated are Marc Cucurella, now with Real Madrid, and Rodri, who has transitioned from Manchester City to Barcelona, reinforcing the global impact of the league. PSG’s remarkable nine nominations stand out dramatically compared to other clubs, emphasizing their collective achievement this season.
Despite scoring a Ballon d’Or victory last year, Dembélé remains challenged by a strong lineup that includes formidable teammates Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Willian Pacho, Fabián Ruiz, and Vitinha.
The omission of Raphinha, despite a solid season at Barcelona, is striking. His teammates, Pedri and Dani Olmo, were also left off the shortlist. Additionally, Cristiano Ronaldo’s exclusion prompts scrutiny, especially in light of Lionel Messi’s continued presence on the nominations list, despite his move to Inter Miami.
The coaching nominations are particularly notable for their focus on Spanish figures, with Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, Spain’s Luis de la Fuente, PSG’s Luis Enrique, and Bayern Munich’s Vincent Kompany all in the running.
Meanwhile, the absence of multi-time women’s Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí from the 30-player shortlist represents what could be seen as the most significant shock of the announcement.
As anticipation builds toward the ceremony, observers are once again reminded of the complexities and rivalries that define the beautiful game, where every accolade is both a triumph and a topic for passionate debate.
