Five Ballon d'Or Nominees Without Trophies Revealed

On September 8, France Football released its 30-man list for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, sparking discussions about the inclusion of five nominees who did not win any trophies during the review period. Among these players are Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, both from Real Madrid, which experienced a second consecutive trophyless season.

While Vinicius and fellow nominee Jude Bellingham lacked notable individual honors, Mbappe distinguished himself by winning the La Liga Golden Boot, the Champions League Golden Boot, and the World Cup Golden Boot, making him a strong contender for the award despite his team's collective failures. The other two nominees without trophies are Bruno Fernandes, who received the Playmaker's Award and the PFA Player of the Year, and Julian Quinones, a forward for Al-Qadsiah in Mexico.

Fernandes' individual recognitions stand out despite Manchester United's lack of silverware during the same period.