Four Portuguese footballers are in contention for the prestigious Ballon d’Or awards, with the winners set to be announced during a ceremony in London. Paris Saint-Germain trio Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, and João Neves, alongside Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, feature among the 30 nominees vying for football’s ultimate individual prize for the 2025/26 season. If any of the four succeed, they will join a short, elite list of compatriots—Eusébio in 1965, Luís Figo in 2000, and Cristiano Ronaldo across multiple years—to ever win the honor.
The Contenders Shaping the 30-Player Shortlist
The nominated group reflects a heavy European presence, notably featuring multiple players from French giants Paris Saint-Germain, who enter the gala as reigning continental champions. Alongside the PSG contingent and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes—recognized as the top player in the English league last term—the field includes Argentina’s Lionel Messi. Now playing for Inter Miami in the United States, Messi holds the record for most Ballon d’Or victories with eight trophies and enters the discussion following a standout campaign at the World Cup.
Beyond the Portuguese hopefuls and Messi, the 30-man shortlist showcases several international talents. Ousmane Dembélé of PSG returns to the nominee pool as a previous winner. Spain’s recent World Cup-winning squad places multiple members in contention, including Pau Cubasí, Marc Cucurella, Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, Lamine Yamal, and Ferran Torres. Additional heavyweights in the race include Bayern Munich’s English Harry Kane, Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who features as an outsider.
Vozinha and Top Managers Earn Award Nominations
The nominations also brought unexpected storylines, particularly in the men’s goalkeeper category. Cape Verde veteran Vozinha secured a place among the elite shortlisted netminders at age 40. Largely unknown prior to the 2026 World Cup, his inclusion stems from his stellar displays for the “Blue Sharks” during the tournament held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
In the coaching ranks, the battle for the managerial award features Mikel Arteta (Arsenal), Spain’s World Cup-winning boss Luis de la Fuente, and Aston Villa’s Europa League-winning manager Unai Emery. Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany and PSG boss Luis Enrique complete the shortlist for the top managerial prize.
A Historic Move Away From Paris
For the first time, the 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or gala moves outside of Paris. The London Palladium Theatre will host the world’s footballing elite for the ceremony, scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM. The evaluation period for this year’s accolades spans the entire 2025/26 campaign, running from August 3, 2025, to July 19, 2026, and incorporates major international tournaments such as the 2026 World Cup.
Adding a nostalgic element, France Football introduced the ‘B.O.A.T’ (Best Ballon d’Or of All Time) initiative. Designed to crown the single greatest individual season among players who have won the trophy at least twice since its inception in 1956—when England’s Stanley Matthews won the award—the list features modern icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi alongside historical figures such as Alfredo Di Stéfano, Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, and Brazil’s Ronaldo. Fan voting for this honorary category remains open online until October 27, offering participants a chance to win tickets to the 2027 gala, though no official trophy will be awarded for it.
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