Harry Kane, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d’Or nominees
8 September 2026
France Football announced the 30-player shortlist for the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or, with Harry Kane, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice among the nominees. Paris Saint-Germain have nine players from last season represented on the list.
The winner will be announced in London on 26 October as the award marks its 70th anniversary. The venue honours Sir Stanley Matthews, the inaugural 1956 winner, while Messi is chasing a ninth Ballon d’Or after retiring from international football.