Ballon d'Or Announces Nominees for Various Awards, Multiple Spain Players Included

Xinhua News Agency, Paris, September 8 — The nominee lists for the various 2026 Ballon d'Or awards were announced on the 8th, with multiple players from the 2026 FIFA World Cup champions Spain men's national team included.

On July 19, Spain players attended the World Cup awards ceremony. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Huang Zongzhi.

For the most high-profile men's Ballon d'Or award, Spain has six players included in the 30-player shortlist: Yamal, Rodri, Cubarsí, Cucurella, Ferran Torres and Fabián Ruiz. Other nominees include Kane, Dembélé, Mbappé, Haaland and Messi. At club level, Paris Saint-Germain has 10 players nominated.

The four Spanish coaches Enrique, De la Fuente, Arteta and Emery will compete with Kompany for the men's Best Coach award. Spain men's national team's three goalkeepers at the FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States, Unai Simón, Joan García and Raya, will compete for the men's Best Goalkeeper award. In addition, Cubarsí and Yamal will compete for the men's Kopa Trophy, which represents the best young player award.

In addition, several Spanish players, including star Putellas, have been nominated for the women's Ballon d'Or. The nominee lists for multiple other awards, including the best men's and women's football clubs, were also released on the 8th.

This year's Ballon d'Or award ceremony will be held in London on October 26.