Ballon d’Or 2026 Nominees Include Messi, Mbappé and Emery

The 2026 Ballon d’Or race is officially taking shape, with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal and reigning winner Ousmane Dembélé among the 30 players nominated for the men’s award. Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is also among five coaches shortlisted for the men’s Coach of the Year honor.

The nominations set up a wide-open race ahead of the awards ceremony in London on Oct. 26. Paris Saint-Germain leads the men’s player field with 10 nominees, including Dembélé and Vitinha.

Messi Returns as Ronaldo Misses Out

Messi has earned his 17th Ballon d’Or nomination as he pursues a record-extending ninth trophy. The Inter Miami star is joined on the shortlist by fellow World Cup standout Rodri, who is seeking another individual honor after winning the 2024 award.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who holds the record with 18 nominations, was not included on this year’s shortlist. Sadio Mané is the other Al Nassr player named among the nominees.

Mbappé and Yamal are among the leading names in a crowded field. Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane also enters the race after a season in which he scored 73 goals for club and country.

PSG’s representation is particularly notable. Dembélé is seeking to retain his award, while teammates including Vitinha, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho and Fabián Ruiz are also nominated.

Emery Among Five Coach of the Year Nominees

Emery has been recognized after Aston Villa’s successful 2025-26 campaign. The manager guided Villa to the Europa League title and a fourth-place Premier League finish, earning a place among the five nominees for the men’s Coach of the Year award.

Emery’s fellow nominees are Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, Bayern Munich’s Vincent Kompany and Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique.

Arteta’s nomination comes after Arsenal won the Premier League and reached the Champions League final, while Enrique is the reigning Coach of the Year after leading PSG to another Champions League triumph. De la Fuente enters the race after Spain’s World Cup success.

Ceremony Moves to London

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London on Oct. 26, marking the first time since 2019 that the event will be held outside Paris’ Théâtre du Châtelet. The move is part of a tribute to Stanley Matthews, the first-ever Ballon d’Or winner.

The women’s Ballon d’Or field has also been announced, while the Kopa Trophy, Yashin Trophy and club and coaching awards are part of the broader ceremony. Aitana Bonmatí’s absence from the women’s shortlist means the award will have a new winner if the four-time champion does not return to contention.

With Messi chasing another historic milestone, Ronaldo absent, and a deep group of contenders led by Mbappé, Yamal, Dembélé and Kane, the 2026 Ballon d’Or race is set for a closely watched finish.