Dembele, Mbappe, Kane and Yamal top Ballon d’Or shortlist
Ballon d'Or Ousmane Dembele among favourites, with Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane, as 2026 shortlist named.
Last year’s winner Ousmane Dembele, as well as Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe, are among the top contenders for the men’s Ballon d’Or.
The 30 men’s and 30 women’s nominees were revealed by France Football magazine on Tuesday, with the winners to be announced at a ceremony in London on October 26.
In the women’s field, two-time winner Alexia Putellas, Ewa Pajor and Melchie Dumornay are among the favourites. Aitana Bonmatí, the winner of the past three awards, did not make the cut after missing most of the season through injury. She returned at the end of Barcelona’s quadruple-winning season that included another Champions League title.
In an interview with France Football, Dembele said he expects the award to remain at PSG. Asked to name his top three in no particular order, he cited PSG teammate Kvaratskhelia, Kane and Mbappe. He also mentioned Michael Olise, Lamine Yamal, Ruiz and Pacho, but did not include himself.