Ten legendary footballers have been named as candidates for the All-Time Ballon d’Or, according to reports published by la Repubblica. The curated shortlist brings together iconic modern and historical figures, yet the exclusion of Pelé and Maradona immediately drew attention.
The selection process for the All-Time Ballon d’Or spans generations of football excellence, featuring modern greats alongside decorated icons of previous decades. Among the ten finalists confirmed by Corriere dello Sport and Goal.com are Lionel Messi, Marco van Basten, and Ronaldo.
Why Pelé and Maradona Were Omitted From the Ballot
The absence of Pelé and Maradona from the ten-candidate shortlist stems from the eligibility rules governing the historical Ballon d’Or prize.
The Complete List of Ten Finalists
The final ten nominees represent a cross-section of talents and players who met the historical eligibility guidelines. Outlets such as Sisal and Goal.com outline a ballot featuring Lionel Messi alongside Marco van Basten and Ronaldo.
London Palladium Theatre Set for the 2026 Ceremony
The winner of the All-Time Ballon d’Or will be revealed during the official ceremony in 2026, which is scheduled to take place for the first time at the London Palladium Theatre in Londra, as detailed by UEFA. Football fans across Europe and the globe can tune into the broadcast through various regional and international rights holders. DAZN holds the global broadcasting rights for the event, excluding specific regional territories where local networks have secured coverage. Viewers in France and Monaco can watch via L’Équipe, while viewers in Spain can follow the broadcast through Telefonica. Other confirmed regional broadcasters include TV2 in Norway, RTL Hungary in Hungary, and TV Nova in Cechia and Slovacchia.
🚨 TWO OF FOOTBALL’S GREATEST LEGENDS NEVER WON THE BALLON D’OR! 🤯🐐Yes, Pelé 🇧🇷 and Diego Maradona 🇦🇷 never won the official competitive Ballon d’Or during their playing careers.But here’s the shocking reason: until 1995, only European nationals were eligible to win the… https://t.co/XVFpao6Uij
