Football
2026 Ballon d’Or Shortlist: Kane, Haaland and Messi In, Ronaldo Shockingly Out
Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out despite winning the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr. Ronaldo and Messi have dominated the Ballon d’Or conversation for nearly two decades, making Ronaldo’s absence particularly striking.
The race for football’s biggest individual prize has exploded after Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi were named among the 30 nominees for the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or.
France Football unveiled the shortlist on Tuesday, setting up a star-studded battle featuring some of world football’s biggest names.
But one omission is already dominating the conversation: Cristiano Ronaldo is not on the list.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner misses out despite helping Al-Nassr win the Saudi Pro League, while eight-time winner Lionel Messi has made the cut at the age of 39.
Last year’s winner Ousmane Dembele is also nominated and will attempt to become the first player to retain the award in years.
Harry Kane’s 73-Goal Season Changes Everything
Harry Kane enters the Ballon d’Or race after producing arguably the most prolific season of his career.
The Bayern Munich striker scored 73 goals in 65 matches for club and country, while helping Bayern claim the Bundesliga, German Cup and German Super Cup.
He also led England deep into the World Cup, strengthening his case as one of the most decisive forwards of the year.
Kane’s combination of individual numbers and team success could make him one of the most dangerous challengers to PSG’s Dembele.
Haaland Brings Another Goal-Scoring Avalanche
Erling Haaland is also back among the elite contenders.
The Manchester City and Norway striker scored 58 goals in 64 matches, once again establishing himself as one of football’s most devastating finishers.
His nomination places him directly in the conversation with Kane, Mbappe, Messi and Dembele.
But unlike some of his rivals, Haaland enters the race without the same level of World Cup impact, making the final voting battle particularly intriguing.
Messi Is Still Here at 39
Then there is Messi.
The eight-time winner remains on the shortlist after recording 75 goal contributions in 49 matches for Inter Miami and Argentina.
Lionel Messi also helped Argentina reach the World Cup final, adding another major international campaign to an extraordinary career. His presence means voters must decide whether the 39-year-old can overcome younger rivals who produced spectacular seasons of their own.
A ninth Ballon d’Or would be an extraordinary conclusion to another chapter of Messi’s career.
Ronaldo’s Shock Omission Steals the Spotlight
For all the superstar names on the list, the biggest headline may belong to someone who isn’t there.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out.
The Portugal forward won the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr, but that was not enough to earn him a place among the 30 nominees.
Ronaldo and Messi have dominated the Ballon d’Or conversation for nearly two decades, making Ronaldo’s absence particularly striking.
The other active former winners, Karim Benzema and Luka Modric, were also omitted.
Dembele Wants the Trophy to Stay at PSG
Dembele has perhaps the strongest club-level argument after another extraordinary campaign with Paris Saint-Germain.
The reigning winner is joined by a staggering number of PSG teammates on the shortlist.
PSG has nine players nominated, while Spain forward Ferran Torres, who joined the club and scored the World Cup final winner for Spain, is also included in the broader group.
Dembele himself believes the trophy could remain in Paris.
He named teammates Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and others among his favorites, alongside Kane and Mbappe.
That PSG dominance could become one of the defining stories of the 2026 voting.
Yamal, Mbappe and Bellingham Add More Firepower
The shortlist also includes Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, giving voters an extraordinary collection of attacking and midfield talent.
Mbappe enters the race after setting a new World Cup scoring milestone, overtaking Messi for the tournament’s all-time goals record with 22 goals.
Yamal, meanwhile, continues his rapid rise into football’s global elite.
Spain midfielder Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, is also nominated after playing a key role in Spain’s World Cup triumph.
Vozinha’s Yashin Trophy Nomination Is a Story of Its Own
One of the most remarkable nominations comes from Cape Verde.
Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha has been nominated for the Yashin Trophy after his performances helped Cape Verde advance from the World Cup group stage.
He will compete with major names including Spain’s Unai Simón, Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez, Morocco’s Yassine Bounou and Senegal’s Edouard Mendy.
The nomination gives Cape Verde one of the most unexpected stories of this year’s awards.
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London Gets Ready for Football’s Biggest Night
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London on October 26, marking the 70th edition of the prestigious award.
The ceremony is being moved from its traditional Paris setting to honor England legend Stanley Matthews, the inaugural Ballon d’Or winner in 1956.
Journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries vote for the men’s award, judging players primarily on individual performances, team success and sporting conduct.
The voting period covers August 3, 2025, through July 19, 2026, meaning the World Cup could prove decisive.
And with Kane, Haaland, Messi, Dembele, Mbappe and Yamal all in the race — and Ronaldo watching from the outside — the 2026 Ballon d’Or may be one of the most unpredictable in years.
