William Saliba has finished 29th in the Ballon d’Or 2026 standings, though some Arsenal fans are not happy with his ranking.
Saliba was one of three Arsenal players to have made the 30-man shortlist, along with central defensive partner Gabriel - nominated for the first time - and midfielder Declan Rice.
Saliba played a key role in helping the Gunners win their first Premier League title in over 20 years as well as reaching a first Champions League final since 2006.
Despite this though, the defender has not been able to crack the top 20 - or even the top 10.
The rankings reveal began hours before the Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony got underway in London, with the Frenchman coming in at joint-29th with Sadio Mane - formerly of Liverpool and now of Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
“The cornerstone of Arsenal’s title success – their first for 22 years – William’s lethal combination of elegant and robust defending helped Arsenal procure 26 clean sheets last season,” the Ballon d’Or website reads.
“This is the French star’s second Ballon d’Or nomination. He was born in Bondy, France—the same hometown as fellow French star Kylian Mbappe, where both were coached at AS Bondy by Kylian’s father.”
Judging by the reaction of many Arsenal supporters on social media, Saliba should have been ranked a lot higher.
Saliba’s club team-mates Gabriel and Declan Rice come in at 21st and 15th respectively which means no Arsenal player will finish in the top 10 of this year’s Ballon d’Or.
Men’s Ballon d’Or 2026 ranking
12. Pau Cubarsi
13. Achraf Hakimi
14. Vitinha
15. Declan Rice
16. Ferran Torres
17. Vinicius Jr.
18. Marc Cucurella
19. Joao Neves
20. Willian Pacho
21. Gabriel
22. Lautaro Martinez
23. Nuno Mendes
24. Luis Diaz
25. Marquinhos
26. Dayot Upamecano
27. Bruno Fernandes
28. Julian Quiones
29. William Saliba
29. Sadio Mane