The 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees have been revealed, with an array of leading figures from men’s football included in the race for the sport’s most prestigious individual honours.
The shortlist celebrates players whose performances and influence stood out for both their clubs and national teams during the 2025/26 campaign.
Reigning winners will also begin the defence of their titles. Paris Saint-Germain attacker Ousmane Dembélé is the current Men’s Ballon d’Or holder, having helped the French club win the first UEFA Champions League trophy in its history in 2025.
2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or nominees
- Lionel Messi — Inter Miami/Argentina
- Jude Bellingham — Real Madrid/England
- Marc Cucurella — Chelsea, Real Madrid/Spain
- Ousmane Dembélé — Paris Saint-Germain/France
- Bruno Fernandes — Manchester United/Portugal
- Erling Haaland — Manchester City/Norway
- Achraf Hakimi — Paris Saint-Germain/Morocco
- Ousmane Dembélé — Paris Saint-Germain/France
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — Paris Saint-Germain/Georgia
- Marquinhos — Paris Saint-Germain/Brazil
- Lautaro Martinez — Inter Milan/Argentina
- Nuno Mendes — Paris Saint-Germain/Portugal
- Michael Olise — Bayern Munich/France
- João Neves — Paris Saint-Germain/Portugal
- Julián Quiñones — Al Qadsiah/México
- Willian Pacho — Paris Saint-Germain/Ecuador
- Ferran Torres — Paris Saint-Germain/Spain
- Dayot Upamecano — Bayern Munich/France
- Vitinha — Paris Saint-Germain/Portugal
