"Give Him Number 9", "Y’all Are Never Beating the Allegations" - Fans Left Divided as Lionel Messi Nominated for 2026 Ballon d'Or Award
France Football’s shortlist includes first-time Mexican nominees Julián Quiñones and Scarlett Camberos, plus Club América Femenil after a trophy-winning season.
- France Football unveiled the 2026 Yashin Trophy and Club of the Year shortlists on Tuesday, featuring 10 men and five women competing for the prestigious goalkeeper honors.
- Named after Lev Yashin, the trophy rewards the best stoppers in men's and women's soccer, with voters prioritizing individual performances, followed by team success and general fair play.
- Two-Time winner Emiliano Martínez and Thibaut Courtois lead the men's shortlist, while 40-year-old Vozinha earned his spot after a standout World Cup; notably, 2025 top-ranked keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was omitted.
- Mexican soccer achieved a historic milestone as Scarlett Camberos, Julián Quiñones, and Club América Femenil received nominations, marking the first time three representatives from Mexico have featured in these prestigious lists.
- Winners will be crowned in London on Oct. 26, where reigning Club of the Year champion Paris Saint-Germain aims to secure back-to-back titles against rivals Arsenal and Bayern Munich.
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249 Articles
France Football has announced the list of 30 candidates for the Golden Ball 2026, which will be delivered during an evening in London on 26 October. Among the magnificent 30 there is only one Serie A player, the striker of Inter Lautaro Martinez and zero Italian footballers. On the list there are Ousmene Dembele, winner last year and Lionel Messi but not Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi joins Mbappé, Rodri, Dembelé and other footballers in the fight for the Golden Ball. This may be one of the most equal awards of recent years
Organizer of the trophy electing the best player and player of the year, France Football revealed this Tuesday, September 8th the list of 30 finalists for men and women.
Messi, Lamine Yamal and Mbappé head the list of 30 players nominated for the Golden Ball 2026; the award ceremony is October 26.
Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembélé... the 30 nominees at Ballon d'or 2026 are known. Nine Parisians in the race, six Spaniards and Messi's surprise return, which aims for a ninth sacre after his retirement...
The nominations for the "Golden Ball" for 2026 have been announced.
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