Osimhen, Lookman Miss 2026 Ballon d’Or Shortlist As Yamal, Messi, Rodri Make Cut

Nigeria stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman have been overlooked for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with neither of them included among the 30 nominees for this year’s prestigious men’s award.

The shortlist, announced ahead of the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony, features several of the biggest names in world football, including defending champion Ousmane Dembélé, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Rodri.

The ceremony will be held in London on Monday, 26 October 2026, marking the first time the English capital has hosted the prestigious event. The 70th edition will also honour Sir Stanley Matthews, who became the inaugural Ballon d’Or winner 70 years ago.

Dembélé, who claimed the men’s award last year, has been nominated again after another impressive campaign with Paris Saint-Germain.

Rodri, the 2024 winner, is also in contention after playing a key role in Spain’s World Cup triumph. However, his chances of reclaiming the award will face strong competition from the likes of Yamal, Kane, Mbappé and Michael Olise.

Messi, meanwhile, has earned another nomination after starring during Argentina’s World Cup campaign. The Inter Miami forward’s hopes of securing a record ninth Ballon d’Or, however, may have been weakened by Argentina’s defeat in the final.

The women’s award also features a star-studded 30-player shortlist, including Barcelona trio Caroline Graham Hansen, Patri Guijarro and Alexia Putellas, Arsenal forward Alessia Russo, Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw and Bayern Munich forward Pernille Harder.

Young Talent, Coach, Goalkeeper and Club of the Year categories have also been announced, with Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain among the nominees for the men’s Club of the Year award.

Full 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or nominees

Jude Bellingham — Real Madrid
Pau Cubarsí — Barcelona
Marc Cucurella — Chelsea/Real Madrid
Ousmane Dembélé — Paris Saint-Germain
Luis Díaz — Bayern Munich
Bruno Fernandes — Manchester United
Gabriel — Arsenal
Erling Haaland — Manchester City
Achraf Hakimi — Paris Saint-Germain
Harry Kane — Bayern Munich
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — Paris Saint-Germain
Lamine Yamal — Barcelona
Sadio Mané — Al Nassr
Marquinhos — Paris Saint-Germain
Lautaro Martínez — Inter Milan
Kylian Mbappé — Real Madrid
Nuno Mendes — Paris Saint-Germain
Lionel Messi — Inter Miami
João Neves — Paris Saint-Germain
Michael Olise — Bayern Munich
Willian Pacho — Paris Saint-Germain
Julián Quiñones — Al Qadsiah
Declan Rice — Arsenal
Rodri — Manchester City/Barcelona
Fabián Ruiz — Paris Saint-Germain
William Saliba — Arsenal
Ferran Torres — Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain
Dayot Upamecano — Bayern Munich
Vinícius Júnior — Real Madrid
Vitinha — Paris Saint-Germain