Ballon d’Or: the shortlist details you missed 🔍 | OneFootball

The list of 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or is now known. While the main favorites are indeed present, several anecdotes and quirks lie behind this selection. Longevity, surprise guests, or notable absences: here’s what to remember.

Goalkeepers left out in the cold

No goalkeeper has been shortlisted for the men’s Ballon d’Or. The world’s best shot-stoppers will have to settle for the Yashin Trophy.

Sleeping giants

For the first time since 2018, no German, Italian, or Dutch player has been shortlisted for the men’s Ballon d’Or.

Paris power x10

One third of the nominees for the men’s Ballon d'Or are Paris Saint-Germain players.

Mbappé, the gold rush

Kylian Mbappé is celebrating his ninth consecutive nomination for the men’s Ballon d'Or (2017-2026).

Messi, the returnee

After two years away, Lionel Messi is making his big return to the group of nominees. 

Ronaldo, the swan song

Cristiano Ronaldo has now gone four straight years without being nominated for the Ballon d'Or.

The three musketeers

The three goalkeepers of the Spain national team at the 2026 World Cup have been nominated for the award for the world’s best goalkeeper. 

Tactical supremacy

Six of the ten coaches nominated in the men’s and women’s categories are Spanish!

Not the Julian we were expecting

There are two representatives from the Saudi Pro League in the shortlist: Julian Quiñones (Al-Qadsiyah) and Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr).

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.