Surprises in Ballon d’Or nominations

Sports Desk

The list of footballers nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or has been published, and it has given rise to some great surprises right from the start.

Ahead of next month’s prestigious individual award ceremony in London, France Football, in conjunction with UEFA, released the official list of candidates on Tuesday.

While many of today’s biggest football stars made it to this list, the omission of a few famous stars and coaches has surprised football fans.

Brazilian winger Rafinha has been left out of the shortlist for the men’s Ballon d’Or despite a stellar season for Barcelona, ​​while club teammates Pedri and Dani Olmo also failed to make the final list.

However, the biggest surprise in the women’s category came in the absence of Spain’s Aitana Bonaparte, who had won the last three Ballon d’Ors.

In addition, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has also been left out of the list of nominees for Coach of the Year.

With many big names already eliminated from the competition, voting for the World’s Best in each category has become even more intense.

The Ballon d’Or will be officially presented to the winners in London on Monday, October 26.

2026 Ballon d’Or: List of footballers nominated in the men’s category

• Jude Bellingham

  England, Real Madrid.

  52 matches, 15 goals, 6 assists, 8 yellow cards, 0 red card.

  Trophy: None.

• Paweł Kuberci

  Spain, FC Barcelona.

  62 matches, 1 goal, 2 assists, 5 yellow cards, 1 red card.

  Trophies: World Cup, La Liga, Spanish Super Cup.

• Mark Kukurya

  Spain, Chelsea/Real Madrid.

  65 matches, 2 goals, 7 assists, 13 yellow cards, 1 red card.

  Trophy: World Cup.

• Ousmane Dembele

  France, PSG.

  51 matches, 26 goals, 14 assists, 1 yellow card, 0 red card.

  Trophies: Champions League, Intercontinental Cup, European Super Cup, Ligue 1, French Super Cup.

• Luis Diaz

  Colombia, Bayern Munich.

  66 matches, 30 goals, 23 assists, 10 yellow cards, 2 red cards.

  Trophies: Bundesliga, German Cup, German Super Cup.

• Bruno Fernandes

  Portugal, Manchester United.

  51 matches, 13 goals, 25 assists, 7 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

  Trophy: None.

• Gabriel

  Brazil, Arsenal.

  59 matches, 4 goals, 6 assists, 6 yellow cards, 0 red card.

  Trophy: Premier League.

• Erling Haaland

  Norway, Manchester City.

  64 matches, 58 goals, 11 assists, 3 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

  Trophies: FA Cup, EFL Cup.

• Ashraf Hakimi

  Morocco, PSG.

  49 matches, 4 goals, 17 assists, 6 yellow cards, 1 red card.

  Trophies: Africa Cup of Nations (subject to CAS decision), Champions League, European Super Cup, Ligue 1.

• Harry Kane

  England, Bayern Munich.

  65 matches, 73 goals, 8 assists, 3 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

  Trophies: Bundesliga, German Cup, German Super Cup.

• Khvicha Kavaratskhelia

  Georgia, PSG.

  57 matches, 24 goals, 10 assists, 4 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

  Trophies: Champions League, Intercontinental Cup, European Super Cup, Ligue 1, French Super Cup.

• Lamin Yamal

  Spain, FC Barcelona.

  57 matches, 25 goals, 20 assists, 6 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

  Trophies: World Cup, La Liga, Spanish Super Cup.

• Sadio Mane

  Senegal, Al Nasr.

  55 matches, 24 goals, 13 assists, 8 yellow cards, 1 red card.

  Trophy: Saudi Pro League.

• Marquinhos

  Brazil, PSG.

  43 matches, 2 goals, 0 assists, 3 yellow cards, 0 red card.

  Trophies: Champions League, Intercontinental Cup, European Super Cup, Ligue 1, French Super Cup.

• Lautaro Martinez

  Argentina, Inter Milan.

  55 matches, 30 goals, 10 assists, 9 yellow cards, 0 red card.

  Trophies: Serie A, Italian Cup.

• Kylian Mbappe

  France, Real Madrid.

  60 matches, 58 goals, 13 assists, 8 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

  Trophy: None.

• Nuno Mendes

  Portugal, PSG.

  53 matches, 7 goals, 8 assists, 5 yellow cards, 0 red card.

  Trophies: Champions League, Intercontinental Cup, European Super Cup, Ligue 1, French Super Cup.

• Lionel Messi

  Argentina, Inter Miami.

  49 matches, 45 goals, 30 assists, 4 yellow cards, 0 red card.

  Trophy: MLS.

• Joao Neves

  Portugal, PSG.

  49 matches, 11 goals, 4 assists, 2 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

  Trophies: Champions League, Intercontinental Cup, Ligue 1, French Super Cup.

• Michael Oliseh

  France, Bayern Munich.

  69 matches, 27 goals, 35 assists, 13 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

  Trophies: Bundesliga, German Cup, German Super Cup.

• Willian Pacho

  Ecuador, PSG.

  56 matches, 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 yellow cards, 0 red card.

  Trophies: Champions League, Intercontinental Cup, European Super Cup, Ligue 1, French Super Cup.

• Julian Quinones

  Mexico, Al Qadsiyah.

  46 matches, 41 goals, 5 assists, 5 yellow cards, 0 red card.

  Trophy: None.

• Declan Rice

  England, Arsenal.

  69 matches, 8 goals, 14 assists, 9 yellow cards, 0 red card.

  Trophy: Premier League.

• Rodri

  Spain, Manchester City/FC Barcelona.

  46 matches, 2 goals, 0 assists, 6 yellow cards, 1 red card.

  Trophies: World Cup, FA Cup, EFL Cup.

• Fabian Ruiz

  Spain, PSG.

  45 matches, 3 goals, 6 assists, 4 yellow cards, 0 red card.

  Trophies: World Cup, Champions League, Intercontinental Cup, European Super Cup, Ligue 1, French Super Cup.

• William Saliba

  France, Arsenal.

  60 matches, 1 goal, 1 assist, 3 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

  Trophy: Premier League.

• Ferran Torres

  Spain, FC Barcelona/PSG.

  65 matches, 25 goals, 7 assists, 3 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

  Trophies: World Cup, La Liga, Spanish Super Cup.

• Dayot Upamecano

  France, Bayern Munich.

  58 matches, 2 goals, 4 assists, 9 yellow cards, 1 red card.

  Trophies: Bundesliga, German Cup, German Super Cup.

• Vinicius Junior

  Brazil, Real Madrid.

  66 matches, 28 goals, 16 assists, 11 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

  Trophy: None.

• Vitinha

  Portugal, PSG.

  64 matches, 7 goals, 10 assists, 3 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

  Trophies: Champions League, Intercontinental Cup, European Super Cup, Ligue 1, French Super Cup.