Ballon d'Or 2026 nominees revealed: Messi returns as Ronaldo misses out on 30-man list

The Portuguese star has now missed out on the Ballon d’Or shortlist for four straight years

Web Desk

Published September 08, 2026

Ballon d’Or 2026 nominees revealed: Messi returns as Ronaldo misses out on 30-man list

The 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or have been revealed, with Lionel Messi returning to the list after a two-year absence but Cristiano Ronaldo missing out once again.

Messi, now 39, last appeared on the shortlist in 2023, when he went on to win the award for a record eighth time.

His return comes after another memorable World Cup with Argentina, where he scored eight goals and helped his country reach the final before losing to Spain.

Ronaldo, however, is nowhere to be seen.

The Portuguese star has now missed out on the Ballon d’Or shortlist for four straight years, having last been nominated in 2022.

There are plenty of other big names on this year's list.

Harry Kane makes the cut after a remarkable season with Bayern Munich, while Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham and defending winner Ousmane Dembele are also in contention.

Rodri is back as well after winning the World Cup with Spain and being named the tournament's best player.

Here is the full 30-man list:

Jude Bellingham,
Pau Cubarsi,
Marc Cucurella,
Ousmane Dembele,
Luis Díaz,
Bruno Fernandes,
Gabriel Magalhaes,
Erling Haaland,
Achraf Hakimi,
Harry Kane,
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia,
Lamine Yamal,
Sadio Mane,
Marquinhos,
Lautaro Martinez,
Kylian Mbappe,
Nuno Mendes,
Lionel Messi,
Joao Neves,
Michael Olise,
Willian Pacho,
Julian Quinones,
Declan Rice,
Rodri,
Fabian Ruiz,
William Saliba,
Ferran Torres,
Dayot Upamecano,
Vinícius Jr.
Vitinha.

Paris Saint-Germain have a huge presence on the list following another successful season, while Spain's World Cup triumph is also reflected among the nominees.

The winner will be announced on October 26, 2026.

For the first time in Ballon d’Or history, the ceremony will be held in London instead of Paris. The move marks the award's 70th anniversary and pays tribute to England legend Sir Stanley Matthews, who became the first player to win the Ballon d’Or back in 1956.