By Ghazali Ibrahim
Lionel Messi has returned to the Ballon d’Or shortlist, while Cristiano Ronaldo has been omitted from the 30-man nominees for the 2026 award.
France Football and UEFA confirmed the nominees on Tuesday, with reigning winner Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane also among the leading contenders.
Messi’s return is one of the biggest talking points after the Inter Miami forward missed the shortlist in the previous two editions.
The Argentine, a record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, will compete against a star-studded field that also includes Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior, Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Paris Saint-Germain dominate the list, with several members of their squad including Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, João Neves, Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Fabián Ruiz, Vitinha and Marquinhos receiving nominations.
Arsenal also have three players on the shortlist: Gabriel, Declan Rice and William Saliba.
Barcelona teenager Yamal, who has rapidly emerged as one of world football’s biggest stars, is also in contention alongside teammate Pau Cubarsí.
Other notable nominees include Jude Bellingham, Rodri, Lautaro Martínez, Luis Díaz and Sadio Mané.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or winner will be announced at a ceremony scheduled for October 26 at the London Palladium Theatre in the United Kingdom.
The omission of Ronaldo means the Portuguese superstar will not have the opportunity to add to his five Ballon d’Or titles this year.
Attention will now turn to the final voting, with Dembélé seeking to retain the crown and Messi aiming for a record ninth triumph.
