The 2026 Ballon d’Or award has attracted 30 nominees whose performances, achievements and career records have placed them among the leading figures in world football.
With stars from top European clubs featuring on the shortlist, this report examines all 30 nominees, their profiles, career statistics, major honours and achievements as they compete for football’s most prestigious individual award.
Players from Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich feature prominently on the list of nominees, alongside top stars from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester City and other leading clubs.
Below is the full list of 30 nominees, their nationalities, clubs and statistics as published by the organisers.
1. Jude Bellingham — England, Real Madrid: 52 matches, 15 goals, six assists.
2. Pau Cubarsí — Spain, Barcelona: 62 matches, one goal, two assists.
3. Marc Cucurella — Spain, Chelsea/Real Madrid: 65 matches, two goals, seven assists.
4. Ousmane Dembélé — France, Paris Saint-Germain: 51 matches, 26 goals, 14 assists.
5. Luis Díaz — Colombia, Bayern Munich: 66 matches, 30 goals, 23 assists.
6. Bruno Fernandes — Portugal, Manchester United: 51 matches, 13 goals, 25 assists.
7. Gabriel — Brazil, Arsenal: 59 matches, four goals, six assists.
8. Erling Haaland — Norway, Manchester City: 64 matches, 58 goals, 11 assists.
9. Achraf Hakimi — Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain: 49 matches, four goals, 17 assists.
10. Harry Kane — England, Bayern Munich: 65 matches, 73 goals, eight assists.
11. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — Georgia, Paris Saint-Germain: 57 matches, 24 goals, 10 assists.
12. Lamine Yamal — Spain, Barcelona: 57 matches, 25 goals, 20 assists.
13. Sadio Mané — Senegal, Al-Nassr: 55 matches, 24 goals, 13 assists.
14. Marquinhos — Brazil, Paris Saint-Germain: 43 matches, two goals, no assists.
15. Lautaro Martínez — Argentina, Inter Milan: 55 matches, 30 goals, 10 assists.
16. Kylian Mbappé — France, Real Madrid: 60 matches, 58 goals, 13 assists.
17. Nuno Mendes — Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain: 53 matches, seven goals, eight assists.
18. Lionel Messi — Argentina, Inter Miami: 49 matches, 45 goals, 30 assists.
19. João Neves — Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain: 49 matches, 11 goals, four assists.
20. Michael Olise — France, Bayern Munich: 69 matches, 27 goals, 35 assists.
21. Willian Pacho — Ecuador, Paris Saint-Germain: 56 matches, two goals, one assist.
22. Julián Quiñones — Mexico, Al-Qadsiah: 46 matches, 41 goals, five assists.
23. Declan Rice — England, Arsenal: 69 matches, eight goals, 14 assists.
24. Rodri — Spain, Manchester City/Barcelona: 46 matches, two goals, no assists.
25. Fabián Ruiz — Spain, Paris Saint-Germain: 45 matches, three goals, six assists.
26. William Saliba — France, Arsenal: 60 matches, one goal, one assist.
27. Ferran Torres — Spain, Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain: 65 matches, 25 goals, seven assists.
28. Dayot Upamecano — France, Bayern Munich: 58 matches, two goals, four assists.
29. Vinícius Júnior — Brazil, Real Madrid: 66 matches, 28 goals, 16 assists.
30. Vitinha — Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain: 64 matches, seven goals, 10 assists.