Seis españoles, Mbappé y Messi entre los candidatos al Balón de Oro

MADRID — Kylian Mbappé enters the 2026 Ballon d'Or race with a statistical profile defined by individual volume, having recorded 58 goals and 13 assists in 60 matches during the 2025-2026 season. The 27-year-old Real Madrid forward also established himself as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 22 career goals, a feat bolstered by 10 strikes in eight appearances during the 2026 tournament. Despite his scoring record, Mbappé won no titles with Real Madrid last season. He faces a primary challenger in 39-year-old Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to the World Cup final with 8 goals and 4 assists. Having already won the award eight times, the Inter Miami star is pursuing a record ninth trophy following his announcement of international retirement.

Individual Dominance vs. Collective Glory

The tension of the 2026 race centers on whether voters prioritize raw output or tournament success. Mbappé, who reached the World Cup semifinals with France, stated on Monday that he feels this could be his year to win the award, according to OneFootball and Diario Las Américas. Conversely, the Spanish contingent leverages a World Cup title won on July 19 in New Jersey. While Antena 3 reports six Spaniards on the list, OneFootball cites seven. The group includes Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Rodri, Ferran Torres, Marc Cucurella, and Fabián Ruiz.

Player	Season Goals/Assists	World Cup Goals	Key Achievement
Kylian Mbappé	58 / 13	10	World Cup all-time top scorer (22)
Lionel Messi	45 / 30	8	World Cup Finalist

The PSG Bloc and Outlier Nominations

Paris Saint-Germain's influence on the list is substantial, with eight representatives. This group is led by 2025 winner Ousmane Dembélé and includes Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Fabián Ruiz, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, and Achraf Hakimi. According to OneFootball, PSG coach Luis Enrique asserted in early September that the prize should go to a player from his club, a sentiment shared by Marquinhos. The 30-man list also contains notable surprises:

• Julián Quiñones: The Al-Qadsiah FC forward is the first Mexican nominee since 2015, cited by ADN40 as a historic inclusion.
• Sadio Mané: The Al-Nassr veteran remains in contention.

However, the list is not without controversy. Antena 3 reports that Barcelona's Pedri and Raphinha were omitted despite winning La Liga and the Supercopa, and in Raphinha's case, participating in the World Cup. Other notable absences include Mohamed Salah, who finished fourth last year, and PSG's Désiré Doué.

Women's Category and the Bonmatí Absence

The women's race is defined by a void. Aitana Bonmatí, a three-time consecutive winner, is missing from the nominations due to an injury that sidelined her between November 2025 and May 2026. This opens the door for Alexia Putellas, who now plays for London City Lionesses, as well as Barcelona's Patri Guijarro and Ewa Pajor. These three enter as favorites after winning the European title last season. Other contenders include Lyon's Melchie Dumornay, Selma Bacha, Melvine Malard, and Wendie Renard.

A Historic Shift to London

For the first time since its inception in 1956, the ceremony will be held outside of Paris. The 70th anniversary event is scheduled for October 26 at The London Palladium. According to Antena 3, the move to London is a tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, the first recipient of the award.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the primary contenders for the 2026 Men's Ballon d'Or?

The race is centered on Kylian Mbappé (statistical leader and World Cup top scorer), Lionel Messi (World Cup finalist pursuing a 9th trophy), and several Spanish players who won the World Cup, including Lamine Yamal and Rodri.

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Why was Aitana Bonmatí not nominated in the women's category?

Bonmatí was absent from the list due to a long-term injury that occurred between November 2025 and May 2026.

What makes Julián Quiñones' nomination significant?

Quiñones is the first Mexican player to be nominated for the Ballon d'Or since 2015, following performances with Al-Qadsiah FC and the Mexican national team.

Next-Generation Contenders and Global Shifts

The race has expanded to include a specific focus on emerging talent. Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí are among 10 nominees for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best young player. They face competition from a diverse group including Warren Zaïre-Emery, who won the Champions League with PSG, and Ayyoub Bouaddi of Manchester City. Beyond individual honors, France Football has extended recognition to collective success. According to ADN40, the Mexican club América Femenil has been nominated as one of the best teams of the year, competing against established powers such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Olympique Lyon. The historical gap between the top two contenders remains a central theme. Messi seeks to move further ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has not been a favorite since 2022 and is absent from the current list. This creates a narrative where Messi's potential ninth trophy would solidify a lead that is already three awards clear of his closest historical rival, as detailed by ESPN Deportes. The final decision rests with 100 journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries. The results will be revealed on October 26 at The London Palladium, where the primary awards and the trophies for Kopa, Yashin, Gerd Müller, Johan Cruyff, and Sócrates will be presented.