Mane and Quinones make 2026 Ballon d'Or shortlist as Saudi Pro League earns recognition | OneFootball

Sadio Mane and Julian Quinones have been named on the 30-man 2026 Ballon d'Or shortlist after stellar club and international campaigns, while the Saudi Pro League also features in the Yashin Trophy.

According to Goal.com, France Football confirmed both forwards among the nominees, reflecting the division’s increasing profile at home and abroad.

Mane helped Al-Nassr win their first league title since 2019, registering 10 goals and six assists. He also captained Senegal to the 2025 AFCON final and into the 2026 World Cup knockouts.

The Mexico international won the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League Golden Boot with 33 goals, sealing it with a final-day hat-trick ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Ivan Toney. For World Cup co-hosts Mexico he scored four, including the tournament’s opener in Mexico City, as they reached the Round of 16.

After Al-Nassr’s 2-1 win over Abha on Wednesday, Mane thanked fans and journalists for their votes and said many Saudi Pro League players could have been included. Quinones, who scored in Al Qadsiah’s 3-2 victory against Al Ahli on Tuesday, credited hard work and said he aims to keep improving.

The league’s presence continues in the Yashin Trophy, with Al Hilal’s Yassine Bounou earning a fourth nomination after winning the King's Cup and reaching the AFCON final with Morocco. Al Ahli captain Edouard Mendy received a third nod after the SPL Best Goalkeeper award and a second straight AFC Champions League Elite title.

Source: Goal.com

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