Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is one of three English players nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Arsenal’s Declan Rice join Kane, the favorite for the award, on the 30-player shortlist. Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, looking to win his ninth Ballon d’Or, has been nominated. retiring from international football. Lamine Yamal is one of six World Cup-winning Spain players included. After scoring the winning goal in the final, Paris St-Germain striker Ferran Torres, who joined the French club from Barcelona in the summer, makes the cut. Back-to-back Champions League winners Paris St-Germain have nine players (excluding new signing Torres) nominated, including last year’s winner Ousmane Dembélé. Real Madrid forwards Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr are also part of the shortlist, as are Arsenal defenders Gabriel and William Saliba. The award is celebrating its 70th anniversary, having been created by France Football in 1956, and the winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on October 26. The “symbolic choice of venue” is a tribute to former England player Sir Stanley Matthews, who won the first Ballon d’Or.
