FULL LIST: Messi, Yamal among 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees

Lionel Messi has received his 17th Ballon d’Or nomination at age 39, while Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal also made the 30-player shortlist for the 2026 men’s award.

France Football announced the nominees through its X account on Tuesday. Messi, nominated while representing Inter Miami and Argentina, has won the prize eight times, in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023. He retired from Argentina’s national team in August.

Yamal, 19, earned his third nomination after a season that included World Cup success with Spain, a Spanish league title and the Super Cup. He also recorded strong goal and assist numbers and appeared among the contenders for young talent awards.

The full men’s shortlist includes players from across Europe and the Americas, among them Jude Bellingham, Ousmane Dembélé, Erling Haaland, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Rodri, Vinícius Jr. and Vitinha.

The award covers performances during the 2025-26 season, including the 2026 World Cup. Organisers will hold the ceremony in London on October 26, marking the prize’s 70th anniversary and honouring its inaugural winner, Stanley Matthews. It will be the first time the ceremony takes place outside Paris.