Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal and several other top football stars have been nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards.
The prestigious ceremony will take place on Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium Theatre in London, England.
It will be the first time the Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held in London. The 2026 edition is also special because the award, created by France Football in 1956, is celebrating its 70th anniversary.
Since 2024, France Football and UEFA have jointly organised the awards.
The choice of London also pays tribute to England legend Stanley Matthews, who became the first Ballon d’Or winner in 1956.
Messi, Mbappé and Yamal Lead Men’s List
A total of 30 players have been nominated for the Men’s Ballon d’Or.
Eight-time winner Messi is on the list alongside Real Madrid stars Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, Barcelona youngster Yamal, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane.
Arsenal have three players nominated: Gabriel, Declan Rice and William Saliba.
Other nominees include Jude Bellingham, Ousmane Dembélé, Luis Díaz, Bruno Fernandes, Achraf Hakimi, Sadio Mané, Lautaro Martínez, Rodri, Michael Olise and Vitinha.
Arsenal Stars Feature in Several Categories
Arsenal are strongly represented across the awards.
Manager Mikel Arteta is nominated for Men’s Coach of the Year, while goalkeeper David Raya is in the running for Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
In the women’s categories, Arsenal stars Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo have been nominated for the Women’s Ballon d’Or.
Arsenal are also among the five nominees for Men’s Club of the Year, alongside Bayern Munich, Bodø/Glimt, Flamengo and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Women’s Ballon d’Or
The Women’s Ballon d’Or has also attracted some of the biggest names in the game.
Barcelona stars Alexia Putellas, Caroline Graham Hansen and Ewa Pajor are among the 30 nominees.
Other leading names include England’s Alessia Russo, Jamaica’s Khadija Shaw, Netherlands forward Vivianne Miedema and Scotland’s Caroline Weir.
The awards will also recognise the best young players, goalkeepers, coaches and clubs in men’s and women’s football.
The Sócrates Award will honour footballers involved in solidarity projects and social causes.
The winners of the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards will be announced at the ceremony in London on October 26.
