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Notable Players Missing From Ballon d'Or 2026 Shortlist

Ballon d'Or 2026 Nominees Revealed

France Football unveiled its 30-player shortlist for the Ballon d'Or on Tuesday. Among the nominees are Ousmane Dembele, last year’s winner, and nine members of Paris Saint-Germain's victorious 2025-26 squad. Lionel Messi is nominated again for the 17th time, aiming to extend his record with a ninth win, though Argentina's loss to Spain in the World Cup final dimmed those hopes.

Other nominees include 2024 winner Rodri, runner-up in 2025 Lamine Yamal, and Ferran Torres, who scored the winning goal in the World Cup final for Luis de la Fuente's world champions.

Big Names Missing From The List

Despite the star-studded nominations, several prominent players did not make the cut, sparking debate among fans and analysts alike.

  • Martin Odegaard (Arsenal and Norway): Captain of Arsenal’s first Premier League title in 22 years and key figure in Norway’s run to the World Cup quarterfinals. His strong start this season contrasts with fitness and form issues during the campaign, making his omission puzzling.
  • Desire Doue (PSG and France): The only one from Luis Enrique's top PSG starters left off the list despite scoring 13 goals and providing eight assists across competitions as PSG clinched Ligue 1 and the Champions League. His absence raises questions.
  • Raphinha (Barcelona and Brazil): Although plagued by injuries last season, Raphinha managed 21 goals in 33 games for Barcelona, averaging nearly 0.87 goals per 90 minutes. Many feel his exclusion is unfair after a strong 2025.
  • Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid and Argentina): A leading forward whose summer transfer saga highlighted his status. He scored 20 goals and had nine assists but was limited in the World Cup due to injury, aside from a crucial goal against Switzerland.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr and Portugal): Though his final World Cup didn’t catch fire, Ronaldo scored plenty for Al Nassr, helping secure their first Saudi Pro League title. His teammate Sadio Mane made the list, boosted by a solid Africa Cup of Nations.
  • Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea/Man City and Argentina): The only player transferred twice for over £100m, Fernandez had his best goal-scoring season yet and was vital for Argentina’s World Cup run. However, a red card in the final hurt his chances.
  • Pedri (Barcelona and Spain): Praised for his technical skill, Pedri’s omission caused an uproar in Catalan media. He lost his starting spot for Spain from the World Cup quarterfinals onward, with the team finding better balance without him.

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