Harry Kane Nominated for 2026 Ballon d'Or Award

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is one of three England players nominated for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, joining Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham and Arsenal's Declan Rice on the 30-player shortlist. Lionel Messi, the Inter Miami forward, is also nominated as he seeks to win his ninth Ballon d'Or.

Messi scored eight goals as Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain in July. Paris St-Germain forward Ferran Torres, who scored the winning goal in the final, is included in the nominations.

Paris St-Germain has nine players nominated, excluding new signing Torres, including last year's winner Ousmane Dembele. Other nominees include Real Madrid forwards Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, as well as Arsenal defenders Gabriel and William Saliba.

The award, celebrating its 70th anniversary, was created by France Football in 1956, and the winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on October 26, 2023, in tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, the first Ballon d'Or winner.