After a two-year hiatus, Lionel Messi has once again been named a contender for the Ballon d'Or, while Cristiano Ronaldo remains absent for the fourth consecutive season.
This Tuesday, France Football and UEFA unveiled their 30 nominees for the 2026 men's award, with the Argentine star from Inter Miami being one of the standout inclusions.
During the season, Messi played 49 matches, scoring 45 goals and providing 30 assists, also securing the MLS title with his club. His re-entry into the list follows leading Argentina to the final of the World Cup 2026, where they narrowly lost 1-0 to Spain in overtime. The last time Messi was among the nominees was in 2023, the year he claimed his record-setting eighth Ballon d'Or.
On the other hand, Cristiano Ronaldo is missing from the top 30 despite closing the season with 39 goals, according to experts. Analysts attribute his exclusion mainly to the lower profile of the Saudi Pro League compared to major European leagues. The Portuguese superstar, a five-time Ballon d'Or recipient (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017), hasn't been nominated since 2022.
The list features six Spaniards: Pau Cubarsí, Marc Cucurella, Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, and Ferran Torres, all of whom were part of Spain's World Cup-winning team.
Yamal, with 25 goals and 20 assists in 57 games, stands out as a leading contender alongside Harry Kane—who netted 73 goals in 65 matches for Bayern Munich—and Kylian Mbappé, who scored 58 goals for Real Madrid but didn't secure any team titles this season.
One of the surprises among the nominees is Julián Quiñones from Mexico, playing for Al-Qadsiah. He becomes only the second Mexican to reach the final 30 of the men's Ballon d'Or, following Guillermo Ochoa in 2007. Quiñones wrapped up the season as the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League with 33 goals in 31 matches, totaling 41 goals in 46 appearances across all competitions.
The current titleholder is Ousmane Dembélé, who triumphed at the 2025 ceremony held in Paris. The PSG player is nominated again after a season in which his team clinched the Champions League, the Intercontinental Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, and Ligue 1.
This year's Ballon d'Or ceremony marks a historic change: for the first time in its seven-decade history, the event will not take place in Paris.
On October 26, the prestigious award ceremony will be hosted at the London Palladium in London as a tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, the English footballer who won the inaugural Ballon d'Or in 1956. This choice of location coincides with the 70th anniversary of the world's most prestigious soccer award.
Frequently Asked Questions about the 2026 Ballon d'Or
Why is Cristiano Ronaldo not nominated for the 2026 Ballon d'Or?
Cristiano Ronaldo was not nominated due to the lesser impact of the Saudi Pro League compared to Europe's major leagues, despite his impressive goal tally for the season.
What achievements led to Messi's nomination for the 2026 Ballon d'Or?
Lionel Messi's nomination was supported by his 45 goals, 30 assists, winning the MLS title, and leading Argentina to the World Cup final in 2026.
Where will the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony be held?
For the first time, the Ballon d'Or ceremony will be held at the London Palladium in London, rather than its traditional location in Paris.