The 30 nominees for the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or have been announced, with Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane emerging as the early favorite after a stunning 73-goal season. The England captain is seeking his first Ballon d’Or and could become the first Englishman to win since Michael Owen in 2001.
Lionel Messi has received his 17th nomination, while Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, and defending champion Ousmane Dembélé are also among the top contenders. PSG, the Champions League winners, dominate with nine players on the shortlist, including Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Achraf Hakimi. Five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo did not make the cut this year.
