2026 Ballon d’Or: Messi Headlines as Three England Stars Make Full Shortlist

The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or has officially begun, with the full list of nominees released across the major individual and club categories.

Lionel Messi has been nominated as he targets a record-extending ninth Ballon d’Or, while England have three players in contention for the men's top prize.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, Arsenal's Declan Rice and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane are the three English players on the 30-man shortlist.

Paris St-Germain, meanwhile, dominate the nominations after winning the Champions League for a second consecutive season, with nine players, (excluding new signing Ferran Torres) making the men's shortlist.

Last year's winner, Ousmane Dembele, is also in contention to retain the prestigious award.

Messi Nominated as He Targets Ninth Ballon d’Or

Inter Miami forward, Lionel Messi has once again made the Ballon d’Or shortlist.

The 39-year-old scored eight goals as Argentina reached the 2026 World Cup final, where they lost to Spain in July.

Messi has since retired from international football, but his performances have earned him another nomination as he attempts to win the award for a ninth time.

Yamal Leads Spain's World Cup-Winning Contingent

Barcelona youngster, Lamine Yamal is among six Spain players nominated after their country's World Cup triumph.

Paris St-Germain forward, Ferran Torres, who joined the French champions from Barcelona during the summer, is also on the shortlist after scoring the winning goal in the World Cup final.

PSG's dominance is reflected throughout the list, with nine players from the back-to-back European champions nominated, including Dembele.

Real Madrid forwards Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr are also among the contenders, while Arsenal defenders Gabriel and William Saliba have been recognised.

When Will the Ballon d’Or Winner Be Announced?

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London on 26 October.

The ceremony will be particularly significant because the award is celebrating its 70th anniversary.

France Football created the Ballon d’Or in 1956, with England legend Sir Stanley Matthews becoming the first-ever winner.

The decision to stage this year's ceremony in London is therefore a symbolic tribute to Matthews and the history of the award.

Full 2026 Men's Ballon d’Or Shortlist

The 30 nominees are:

1. Jude Bellingham — Real Madrid/England
2. Pau Cubarsi — Barcelona/Spain
3. Marc Cucurella — Real Madrid/Spain
4. Ousmane Dembele — Paris St-Germain/France
5. Luis Diaz — Bayern Munich/Colombia
6. Bruno Fernandes — Manchester United/Portugal
7. Gabriel — Arsenal/Brazil
8. Erling Haaland — Manchester City/Norway
9. Achraf Hakimi — Paris St-Germain/Morocco
10. Harry Kane — Bayern Munich/England
11. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — Paris St-Germain/Georgia
12. Lamine Yamal — Barcelona/Spain
13. Sadio Mane — Al-Nassr/Senegal
14. Marquinhos — Paris St-Germain/Brazil
15. Lautaro Martinez — Inter Milan/Argentina
16. Kylian Mbappe — Real Madrid/France
17. Nuno Mendes — Paris St-Germain/Portugal
18. Lionel Messi — Inter Miami/Argentina
19. Joao Neves — Paris St-Germain/Portugal
20. Michael Olise — Bayern Munich/France
21. Willian Pacho — Paris St-Germain/Ecuador
22. Julian Quinones — Al-Qadsiah/Mexico
23. Declan Rice — Arsenal/England
24. Rodri — Barcelona/Spain
25. Fabian Ruiz — Paris St-Germain/Spain
26. William Saliba — Arsenal/France
27. Ferran Torres — Paris St-Germain/Spain
28. Dayot Upamecano — Bayern Munich/France
29. Vinicius Jr — Real Madrid/Brazil
30. Vitinha — Paris St-Germain/Portugal

Men's Young Talent of the Year

The nominees for the men's young-player award are:

1. Kerim Alajbegovic — Bayer Leverkusen/Bosnia-Herzegovina
2. Ayyoub Bouaddi — Man City/France
3. Pau Cubarsi — Barcelona/Spain
4. Yan Diomande — Real Madrid/Ivory Coast
5. Lennart Karl — Bayern Munich/Germany
6. Eli Junior Kroupi — Bournemouth
7. Lamine Yamal — Barcelona/Spain
8. Johan Manzambi — Aston Villa/Switzerland
9. Ibrahim Maza — Bayer Leverkusen/Algeria
10. Warren Zaire-Emery — France/Paris St-Germain

Yamal appears in both the main Ballon d’Or shortlist and the young-talent category.

Men's Goalkeeper of the Year

Cape Verde goalkeeper, Vozinha is among the nominees after his impressive performances at the 2026 World Cup.

Arsenal and Spain goalkeeper David Raya also makes the list.

The full nominees are:

1. Yassine Bounou — Al-Hilal/Morocco
2. Thibaut Courtois — Real Madrid
3. Joan Garcia — Barcelona/Spain
4. Gregor Kobel — Borussia Dortmund/Switzerland
5. Emiliano Martínez — Aston Villa/Chelsea/Argentina
6. Edouard Mendy — Al-Ahli/Senegal
7. David Raya — Arsenal/Spain
8. Matvey Safonov — Paris St-Germain/Russia
9. Unai Simon — Athletic Bilbao/Spain
10. Vozinha — Colo-Colo/Cape Verde

Men's Coach of the Year

Five managers have been nominated for the men's Coach of the Year award:

1. Mikel Arteta — Arsenal
2. Unai Emery — Aston Villa
3. Luis Enrique — Paris St-Germain
4. Luis de la Fuente — Spain
5. Vincent Kompany — Bayern Munich

The list reflects both club and international success, with Luis Enrique recognised for PSG's continued dominance and De la Fuente nominated after Spain's World Cup triumph.

Men's Club of the Year

Five clubs have been shortlisted for Men's Club of the Year:

1. Arsenal — England
2. Bayern Munich — Germany
3. Bodo/Glimt — Norway
4. Flamengo — Brazil
5. Paris St-Germain — France

PSG's inclusion comes after another remarkable European campaign, while Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Bodo/Glimt and Flamengo have also been recognised for their performances.

With Messi chasing a ninth crown, Dembele attempting to defend his title, England represented by Kane, Bellingham and Rice, and PSG dominating the nominations, the 2026 Ballon d’Or race promises to be one of the most intriguing in years.