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The Argentine Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), the Frenchman Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), the Spaniard Rodri (Manchester City/Barcelona), and the Frenchman Ousmane Dembélé (PSG) appear on the list of 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, from which Spanish player Aitana Bonmatí (winner of the last three editions) is absent in the women's category.
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In lists dominated by the Spanish men's and women's national teams (six representatives each), the double nominations of Spaniards Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí also stood out, both from Barcelona and candidates for young talent and best player in the world.
At the club level, PSG had the majority in the men's category (nine nominees), and Barcelona in the women's category, with eight.
Among this year's new features were Ecuadorian defender Willian Pacho, from PSG, and Mexican striker Julián Quiñones, from the Saudi club Al-Qadsiah, nominated for the Ballon d'Or for the first time. Another Latin American among the best was Colombian Luis Díaz, from Bayern Munich, in what was his second nomination.
In the women's list, the Latin American presence of Mexican Scarlett Camberos (Club América) and Brazilian Lorena Leite (Kansas City) also stood out.
The winners of the Ballon d'Or in all categories will be announced on October 26 at a gala in London.
For the men, Spain, the newly crowned world champion, also contributed Fabián Ruiz (world champion with his national team and European champion with PSG), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea/Real Madrid), and Ferrán Torres (Barcelona/PSG), who scored the winning goal against Argentina. A total of six players on the final roster.
In addition to Mbappé and Dembélé, France contributed Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), William Saliba (Arsenal), and Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), five in total; Portugal with its PSG trio (Vitinha, Ruben Neves, and Nuno Mendes) plus Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United).
Brazil is represented by Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid), defender Gabriel (Arsenal), and Marquinhos (PSG), while England featured Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), and Declan Rice (Arsenal). For Argentina, in addition to Messi, Lautaro Martínez, an Inter Milan striker, was listed.
Other names with potential include Georgian Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (European champion with PSG) and Norwegian Erling Haaland (Manchester City).
From Africa, candidates include Senegalese Sadio Mané, from Saudi club Al-Nassr, and Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi (PSG).
Without Cristiano and with Messi, 39, going for his ninth
Messi, 39, seeks to cement his position as the greatest footballer in history if he wins his ninth Ballon d'Or, following those achieved in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023, ahead of the five won by Cristiano Ronaldo, who did not make the list of nominees.
The Argentine led his team to the World Cup final against Spain, where they lost 1-0. However, he stood out with 8 goals and four assists.
Mbappé, 27, established himself as the top scorer of the 2026 World Cup, with 10 goals in 8 matches, making him the top scorer in the history of the World Cup (22 goals). In the 2025-2026 season, the Bondy native scored 58 goals and provided 13 assists in 60 matches, while Messi scored 45 times and provided 30 assists in 49 appearances.
The other great contender is the symbol of Spain's collective football: Rodri, 30. The new Barcelona midfielder led La Roja to their second World Cup title. The current captain of Spain already won the Ballon d'Or in 2024.
Without Bonmatí, but with Putellas
Bonmatí (Barcelona), winner of the Ballon d'Or in 2023, 2024, and 2025, was left off the list of 30 nominees, which does include her compatriot Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/London City Lionesses), winner of the award in 2021 and 2022.
In a list dominated by Barcelona players -eight in total-, other favorites are the Polish Barça striker, Ewa Pajor, and the Haitian attacker from Olympique Lyon, Melchie Dumornay.
In the Spanish contingent, goalkeeper Cata Coll, Claudia Pina, and Patri Guijarro are included, all from Barcelona. Another Spanish nominee was Mariona Caldentey, from Arsenal, and also Mapi León (Barcelona/London City Lionesses).
[Publicidad]