By Zoila Palma: Football superstar Lionel Messi and Spanish teenage sensation Lamine Yamal are among the 30 nominees for the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or, as the football world begins the countdown to one of the sport’s most prestigious individual awards.
The nominees for both the men’s and women’s categories were announced today with the awards ceremony scheduled for October 26 in London.
Yamal, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé are being viewed as some of the leading contenders for the men’s prize. Kane enjoyed a prolific season with Bayern Munich, scoring 73 goals, while Mbappé continued to impress with Real Madrid.
Yamal has also strengthened his case after a remarkable rise to prominence with Barcelona and Spain, helping the national team secure the World Cup this summer.
Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has also earned a place among the nominees.
The Inter Miami and Argentina star continues to feature among the world’s elite, with his performances at the World Cup contributing to his inclusion.
Other notable names on the 30-player list include Jude Bellingham, Ousmane Dembélé, Erling Haaland, Bruno Fernandes, Vinícius Jr., Rodri, Lautaro Martínez, Achraf Hakimi and Vitinha. The award is determined through voting by a panel of international football journalists, making the final result one of the most closely watched individual honors in the sport.
The post International News: Football stars Messi, Yamal among nominees for 2026 Ballon d’Or appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Football superstar Lionel Messi and Spanish teenage sensation Lamine Yamal are among the 30 nominees for the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or, as the football world begins the countdown to one of the sport’s most prestigious individual awards. The nominees for both the men’s and women’s categories were announced today with the awards
The post International News: Football stars Messi, Yamal among nominees for 2026 Ballon d’Or appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.