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70th Ballon d’Or Shortlist Unveiled for 2025/26 Season
WHY IT MATTERS
The shortlist identifies the top performers of the 2025/26 season, guiding fans, clubs, and analysts toward the final voting and the eventual award ceremony, which crowns the season’s most outstanding footballer.
What happened
On Tuesday, the Ballon d’Or body announced the shortlist of nominees for the 2026 award, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the prestigious trophy. The list, revealed on the award’s X account, covers performances from the 2025/26 football season and includes candidates for both the Men’s and Women’s categories.
The announcement marks a milestone in the award’s history, underscoring its role in honoring outstanding achievements across global football. Fans and clubs now know who will compete for the coveted title, which will be awarded later in the year.
The shortlist sets the stage for the final voting process and the eventual presentation of the trophy to the most deserving player of the season.
PRIMARY SOURCES
LIVE UPDATES [FULL LIST]: 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees
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