Nigeria will not be represented in the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or voting after the country’s leading European-based players were left out of the 30-name shortlist announced yesterday.
The decision shuts Nigerian football out of the award despite impressive seasons from several of its most prominent exports. Victor Osimhen was regarded as Nigeria’s strongest candidate after scoring 22 times and providing five Süper Lig assists for Galatasaray in all competitions, including seven goals in the UEFA Champions League.
Ademola Lookman was also omitted, even though he recorded 12 goals and five assists last season before completing a major transfer to Atlético Madrid. Femi Azeez likewise failed to gain recognition after producing 11 goals and seven assists for Millwall ahead of his move to Brighton.
Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane is among the leading contenders after an outstanding campaign for both club and country. His principal rivals include Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, defending champion Ousmane Dembélé and eight-time winner Lionel Messi. Messi is back among the nominees soon after ending his international career.
The ceremony will be staged at the London Palladium on October 26 as part of the award’s 70th anniversary celebrations. It will be the first Ballon d’Or presentation held in London, with the choice of venue also serving as a tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, who won the inaugural prize in 1956.
The full shortlist is divided into three positional groups. The forwards and wingers are Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembélé, Lionel Messi, Vinícius Júnior, Sadio Mané, Lautaro Martínez, Luis Díaz, Michael Olise, Ferran Torres, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Julián Quiñones.
The midfield nominees are Jude Bellingham, Bruno Fernandes, Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, known as Rodri, Declan Rice, Fabián Ruiz, Vítor Machado Ferreira, known as Vitinha, and João Neves.
The defensive list comprises Pau Cubarsí, Marc Cucurella, Gabriel Magalhães, Achraf Hakimi, Marcos Aoás Corrêa, known as Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano.
