Lionel Messi Returns to Ballon d'Or Shortlist

Lionel Messi has made a comeback to the Ballon d'Or shortlist, while Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out once again. The 30 nominees for the 2026 men's award were announced on Tuesday, with Messi being one of the biggest names on the list.

Messi is joined by other prominent players such as Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, and defending champion Ousmane Dembele. The Argentine last appeared among the nominees in 2023, when he won the award for a record eighth time. He missed the shortlist in 2024 and 2025.

Messi's return to the shortlist comes after another strong year with Inter Miami and Argentina. He recorded 75 goal contributions in 49 matches and helped Argentina reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. His inclusion also means he will have a chance to win a ninth Ballon d'Or.

On the other hand, Ronaldo has missed out on the shortlist once again. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is not among the 30 nominees despite helping Al-Nassr win the Saudi Pro League. He has now been absent from the shortlist since 2022.

The 2026 list includes several players expected to challenge for the prize, with Dembele looking to retain the award, while Mbappe, Yamal, Haaland, and Kane are also among the leading names. Paris Saint-Germain have the most players on the list, with 10 nominees.

The 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony will be held in London on October 26, marking the first time the prestigious awards ceremony is held in the English capital. For Messi, the nomination keeps his remarkable Ballon d'Or story alive, while for Ronaldo, it marks another year away from a prize that he won five times during his extraordinary rivalry with the Argentine.

The nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or include Jude Bellingham, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Cucurella, Ousmane Dembele, Luis Diaz, Bruno Fernandes, Gabriel, Erling Haaland, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Lamine Yamal, Sadio Mane, Marquinhos, Lautaro Martínez, Kylian Mbappé, Nuno Mendes, Lionel Messi, Joao Neves, Michael Olise, Willian Pacho, Julian Quinones, Declan Rice, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, William Saliba, Ferran Torres, Dayot Upamecano, Vinicius Junior, and Vitinha.

The Ballon d'Or is one of the most prestigious awards in football, and the ceremony is highly anticipated every year. The award is given to the best player in the world, as voted by a panel of international sports journalists.

In conclusion, the 2026 Ballon d'Or shortlist has been revealed, and Lionel Messi is back in the running for the award. The ceremony will be held in London on October 26, and it will be interesting to see who will take home the prize.

The significance of this event cannot be overstated, as it is a celebration of the best of football. The Ballon d'Or is a symbol of excellence, and the nominees are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players. For Mumbai football fans, this is an exciting time, as they get to see their favorite players compete for the top prize.

The rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo has been one of the most enduring and exciting in football history. While Ronaldo has missed out on the shortlist, Messi's return is a reminder of his incredible talent and dedication to the sport. As the ceremony approaches, fans around the world will be eagerly waiting to see who will be crowned the best player in the world.