2026 Ballon d'Or 30-Man Shortlist: Kane Leads the List, 39-Year-Old Messi Included

Beijing time September 9, according to reports, the Ballon d'Or organizers announced the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 men's Ballon d'Or last night. Kane, Mbappe, Yamal, Dembele, Rodri, Haaland, Vinicius and others were all included, with 39-year-old Messi also on the list, while Raphinha and Pedri missed out.

The 2026 Ballon d'Or awards ceremony will be held in London, United Kingdom, on October 26 local time.

[2026 Men's Ballon d'Or 30-Man Shortlist]

Bellingham (Real Madrid/England), Cubarsi (Barcelona/Spain), Cucurella (Real Madrid/Spain), Dembele (Paris/France)

Luis Diaz (Bayern/Colombia), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/Portugal), Gabriel (Arsenal/Brazil), Haaland (Manchester City/Norway)

Kane (Bayern/England), Hakimi (Paris/Morocco), Kvaratskhelia (Paris/Georgia), Yamal (Barcelona/Spain)

Mane (Al Nassr/Senegal), Marquinhos (Paris/Brazil), Lautaro (Inter Milan/Argentina), Mbappe (Real Madrid/France), Messi (Inter Miami/Argentina)

Nuno Mendes (Paris/Portugal), Joao Neves (Paris/Portugal), Olise (Bayern/France), Pacho (Paris/Ecuador)

Quinones (Al-Qadsiah/Mexico), Rodri (Barcelona/Spain), Rice (Arsenal/England), Fabian (Paris/Spain)

Saliba (Arsenal/France), Ferran Torres (Paris/Spain), Upamecano (Bayern/France), Vinicius (Real Madrid/Brazil), Vitinha (Paris/Portugal)