L'Equipe Selects Best XI of Players Missing Ballon d'Or Nominees, Led by Enzo, Pedri and Raphinha

On September 10 Beijing time, after the Ballon d'Or official announced the 30-player shortlist for 2026, French media outlet L'Equipe released an 11-player best XI of candidates who missed out on the nomination. Enzo and Pedri anchor the midfield, with Doué, Raphinha, Barcola and Alvarez forming a strong attacking combination ahead of them.

L'Equipe's best XI of players missing the Ballon d'Or shortlist:

Goalkeeper: David Raya (Arsenal)

Defenders: Kimmich (Bayern), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Bastoni (Inter Milan), Calafiori (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Pedri (Barcelona), Enzo (Chelsea/Manchester City), Barcola (Paris/Liverpool), Raphinha (Barcelona), Doué (Paris)

Forward: Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)

It is worth noting that, given this Ballon d'Or evaluation period includes the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the omission of Spain's starting striker Oyarzabal from the shortlist is considered surprising. He also failed to make L'Equipe's team of players who missed out.

In addition, no goalkeeper made the 30-player shortlist this time. Premier League Golden Glove winner David Raya was included in the missed-out XI, while Spain's first-choice goalkeeper Unai Simon was also absent from the selection.