Paris Saint-Germain, PSG, dominate the 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist with nine players, the highest representation by a club in this year’s 30-man field, as the race for football’s most prestigious individual prize enters its final stage.
The nominees were announced by France Football and UEFA on Tuesday ahead of the awards ceremony in London on October 26.
The strong PSG presence reflects the club’s outstanding 2025/26 campaign, during which it retained its status as European champions and collected major honours under Luis Enrique.
The nine PSG nominees are Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Willian Pacho, Fabián Ruiz and Vitinha.
Dembélé, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, recorded 26 goals and 14 assists in 51 appearances during the 2025/26 season, while Hakimi contributed four goals and 17 assists in 49 matches.
Dembélé’s nomination gives him the opportunity to retain the award after winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or following PSG’s historic first Champions League triumph.
Hakimi, meanwhile, improves on his previous standing after finishing sixth in the 2025 voting. Kvaratskhelia also features prominently after being recognised as the Champions League’s best player during the campaign.
PSG’s nine-man contingent also includes Portuguese midfielder Vitinha, who has become an influential figure in Enrique’s midfield, alongside fellow Portugal internationals João Neves and Nuno Mendes.
Brazilian captain Marquinhos, Ecuadorian defender Willian Pacho and Spanish midfielder Fabián Ruiz complete the club’s representation.
The number of PSG nominees matches the club’s representation from the previous edition, making Paris the first club to have nine players nominated in consecutive years.
However, contrary to some early reports, PSG do not have 10 players on the shortlist. Ferran Torres is listed as a Barcelona/PSG player because of his summer transfer, but his nomination is based on his 2025/26 season with Barcelona. Dayot Upamecano is also listed as a Bayern Munich player, not a PSG player.
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Real Madrid and Bayern Munich follow PSG with four nominees each. Real Madrid’s contingent comprises Jude Bellingham, Marc Cucurella, Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.
Cucurella is listed for both Chelsea and Real Madrid after his move in June 2026, while the other three were established members of Madrid’s squad.
Bayern Munich are represented by Luis Díaz, Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Dayot Upamecano. Kane enters the race after an exceptional campaign in which he scored 73 goals in 65 appearances for club and country, while helping Bayern secure the Bundesliga, German Cup and German Super Cup.
Kane is among the leading contenders for the award following his prolific season. Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is another major candidate after scoring 58 goals in 64 matches for club and country, while eight-time winner Lionel Messi returns to the shortlist following a productive campaign with Inter Miami and Argentina.
Barcelona have Pau Cubarsí, Lamine Yamal and Rodri among the nominees, although Rodri is officially listed as a Manchester City/Barcelona player.
Yamal, one of the most highly rated young players in world football, again features after finishing second in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting. Cubarsí also enters the senior shortlist after helping Spain win the 2026 World Cup and Barcelona secure domestic honours.
The English Premier League has five representatives. Arsenal provide Gabriel, Declan Rice and William Saliba, while Haaland represents Manchester City and Bruno Fernandes represents Manchester United. Fernandes registered 13 goals and 25 assists in 51 appearances during the 2025/26 season.
The shortlist also reflects the growing global reach of elite football. Saudi Pro League champions Al-Nassr have Sadio Mané among the nominees, while Julián Quiñones represents Saudi side Al-Qadsiah. Messi is the sole nominee from Major League Soccer through Inter Miami.
The full 30-man shortlist comprises Jude Bellingham, Pau Cubarsí, Marc Cucurella, Ousmane Dembélé, Luis Díaz, Bruno Fernandes, Gabriel, Erling Haaland, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Lamine Yamal, Sadio Mané, Marquinhos, Lautaro Martínez, Kylian Mbappé, Nuno Mendes, Lionel Messi, Michael Olise, João Neves, Willian Pacho, Julián Quiñones, Declan Rice, Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, William Saliba, Ferran Torres, Dayot Upamecano, Vinícius Júnior and Vitinha.
The 2026 ceremony carries additional historical significance as the Ballon d’Or marks its 70th anniversary. Created by France Football in 1956, the award will be presented at the London Palladium Theatre on October 26, marking the first time the ceremony is held in London. The choice of venue pays tribute to England’s Stanley Matthews, the inaugural Ballon d’Or winner in 1956.
With Dembélé seeking to defend his crown and established stars including Messi, Mbappé, Kane, Haaland and Yamal competing for the honour, the final vote is set to produce another closely watched chapter in the history of the Ballon d’Or.
UEFA.com
