Messi, Mbappé, and Kane Lead 2026 Ballon d'Or Contenders; Vozinha Nominated for Yashin Trophy
By Editor • September 8, 2026 • 1 min read
The anticipation for the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or is heating up as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Harry Kane have made the prestigious 30-man shortlist. The announcement was made by France Football on Tuesday, showcasing some of the most talented footballers on the globe.
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, continues to impress with his remarkable performance at Inter Miami and for Argentina. Meanwhile, his fellow contenders have also demonstrated exceptional skills this past season. Kane, now with Bayern Munich, had an extraordinary year, netting 73 goals across all competitions and aiding England in reaching the World Cup semi-finals.
Kylian Mbappé, despite not securing a trophy with Real Madrid, made headlines with his World Cup exploits, scoring 10 goals and becoming the tournament's all-time leading scorer. Erling Haaland is also in the mix, having scored an impressive 58 goals for Manchester City and Norway.
Yashin Trophy Nominee
In addition to the Ballon d'Or nominees, Cape Verde's Vozinha has earned a spot on the shortlist for the Yashin Trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper. His outstanding performances during the World Cup were pivotal in helping his team progress beyond the group stage. Vozinha will face stiff competition from the likes of Unai Simon and Emi Martinez, along with other top goalkeepers.
Ceremony Details
The 70th edition of the Ballon d'Or ceremony is set to take place in London on October 26, marking a historic first for the city. This year’s event will pay homage to Stanley Matthews, the inaugural Ballon d'Or winner.
Source: www.france24.com
