The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or has officially begun, with defending champion Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal among the biggest names included in the 30-player men’s shortlist announced by France Football on Tuesday. The women’s shortlist also features a host of major contenders, with two-time winner Alexia Putellas, Ewa Pajor and Melchie Dumornay among those hoping to succeed Aitana Bonmatí, who has won the award in each of the past three years but missed much of the season through injury.
The winners will be crowned at a ceremony in London on October 26, with the event moving away from its traditional Paris setting to mark the 70th anniversary of the first Ballon d’Or, won by England legend Stanley Matthews in 1956. For Dembélé, the opportunity to become the first player since Bonmatí to retain the award comes after another remarkable season with Paris Saint-Germain.
The Frenchman helped PSG win a second consecutive Champions League title, strengthening his claim to remain at the top of the individual game. “I don't think the trophy is undecided.
I think it will remain in the hands of a Paris Saint-Germain player," he said in an interview with France Football. When asked to name his three leading contenders, Dembélé selected PSG teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Kane and Mbappé.
He also highlighted Michael Olise, Yamal, Fabian Ruiz and Willian Pacho — but notably left himself out of his own top three. Mbappé believes this could finally be his yearMbappé enters the race having produced one of the most prolific individual campaigns of his career, despite Real Madrid ending the season without a major trophy.
The France captain scored 42 goals in 44 appearances for Madrid and also enjoyed a record-breaking World Cup campaign. He claimed the Golden Boot for a second consecutive time with 10 goals and moved beyond Lionel Messi to become the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 22 goals.
“There are many people who speak about me and the Ballon d’Or. Of course I’ve made history in the most important competition.
Maybe it’s a good year for this, but people can vote according to what they think,” Mbappé said on Monday. “I think when you play for Real Madrid, the best club in the world, people automatically associate you with this award,” Mbappé added.
“I always think I’m the best, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.” “I don’t like making comparisons because I do a lot of things that others don’t," Mbappé said.
