ristiano Ronaldo, Raphinha and six other high-profile footballers have been left out of the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, despite their strong reputations and notable performances during the season.
France Football released the nominees on Tuesday, September 8, with several of the world’s biggest names making the cut. However, the absence of Ronaldo and Raphinha immediately stood out among the notable omissions.
Ronaldo, who has won the prestigious award five times, missed out for the fourth consecutive year. The Al-Nassr forward helped his club win the Saudi Pro League title, but his continued absence from the shortlist has renewed discussion about how performances outside Europe’s major leagues are assessed.
Barcelona winger Raphinha was another major surprise. The Brazilian enjoyed a highly productive period at club level but was not included among the nominees, while Barcelona midfielder Pedri was also absent. Other notable omissions reported after the announcement include Mohamed Salah, Julián Álvarez, Désiré Doué and Bukayo Saka.
The omissions have attracted attention because several of the players involved have previously featured prominently in major individual award discussions. Saka, for example, helped Arsenal win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final, while Raphinha has been an influential figure for Barcelona.
Their absence contrasts with the return of Lionel Messi, who is nominated after helping Argentina reach the 2026 World Cup final. Other leading contenders include Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham and reigning winner Ousmane Dembélé.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London on October 26. The nominations have already sparked debate over individual performances, team success and the changing standards used to determine football’s most prestigious individual prize.
