Messi returns to the Ballon d’Or shortlist after missing the nominee lists in 2024 and 2025. The Argentina international owns a record eight men’s Ballon d’Or titles. He last won the award in 2023. Cristiano Ronaldo remains absent from the shortlist for a fourth consecutive edition. Brazilian forward Raphinha also does not feature among the 2026 candidates. Dembélé enters this year’s contest as the defending men’s winner after claiming the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
