For the first time since 2003, both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have missed out on the Ballon d'Or shortlist, marking a significant shift in football's landscape. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, who recently starred for Spain in their Euro final victory over England, becomes the youngest nominee ever, breaking Kylian Mbappé's previous record. In a nod to England’s talent, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Cole Palmer all earned spots on the prestigious list.
Yamal’s meteoric rise contrasts sharply with the absence of the two footballing giants who have dominated the award for over a decade. Manchester City and Arsenal each boast four nominees, including Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, William Saliba, and Martin Ødegaard. Emi Martinez, Aston Villa's goalkeeper and last year’s Yachine Trophy winner, alongside Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, also made the cut.
Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman was recognized following his standout performance in the Europa League final, where his hat-trick secured victory against Bayer Leverkusen. Interestingly, Granit Xhaka, now at Leverkusen, also finds himself among the top 30 players.
Manchester United's young prospects Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho received nominations for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best under-21 player. Joining them is Manchester City’s new addition, Savinho, as well as Barcelona's Yamal, a frontrunner for the accolade.
In the race for Coach of the Year, Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, fresh off an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title, is in contention alongside Carlo Ancelotti, who led Real Madrid to their record 15th Champions League title. The list also features Spain’s national team manager Luis de la Fuente and Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso.
Ballon d'Or Shortlist
- Jude Bellingham - Real Madrid
- Phil Foden - Man City
- Ruben Dias - Man City
- Federico Valverde - Real Madrid
- Emiliano Martinez - Aston Villa
- Erling Haaland - Man City
- Nicolas Williams - Athletic Bilbao
- Granit Xhaka - Bayer Leverkusen
- Artem Dovbik - Roma
- Toni Kroos - Real Madrid
- Vinícius Jr. - Real Madrid
- Dani Olmo - RB Leipzig/Barcelona
- Florian Wirtz - Bayer Leverkusen
- Martin Ødegaard - Arsenal
- Mats Hummels - Borussia Dortmund
- Rodri - Manchester City
- Harry Kane - Bayern Munich
- Declan Rice - Arsenal
- Vitinha - PSG
- Cole Palmer - Chelsea
- Dani Carvajal - Real Madrid
- Lamine Yamal - Barcelona
- Bukayo Saka - Arsenal
- Hakan Çalhanoğlu - Inter Milan
- William Saliba - Arsenal
- Kylian Mbappé - PSG/Real Madrid
- Lautaro Martínez - Inter Milan
- Ademola Lookman - Atalanta
- Antonio Rüdiger - Real Madrid
- Alejandro Grimaldo - Bayer Leverkusen
Kopa Trophy Shortlist
- Pau Cubarsi - Barcelona
- Alejandro Garnacho - Manchester United
- Arda Güler - Real Madrid
- Karim Konaté - RB Salzburg
- Kobbie Mainoo - Manchester United
- João Neves - Benfica/PSG
- Savinho - Girona/Man City
- Mathys Tel - Bayern Munich
- Lamine Yamal - Barcelona
- Warren Zaire-Emery - PSG
Yachine Trophy Shortlist
- Diogo Costa - Porto
- Gianluigi Donnarumma - PSG
- Gregor Kobel - Borussia Dortmund
- Andriy Lunin - Real Madrid
- Mike Maignan - AC Milan
- Giorgi Mamardashvili - Valencia
- Emi Martinez - Aston Villa
- Unai Simón - Athletic Bilbao
- Yann Sommer - Inter Milan
- Ronwen Williams - Mamelodi Sundowns
Men's Coach of the Year Shortlist
- Xabi Alonso - Bayer Leverkusen
- Carlo Ancelotti - Real Madrid
- Luis de la Fuente - Spain
- Gian Piero Gasperini - Atalanta
- Pep Guardiola - Man City
- Lionel Scaloni - Argentina
Team of the Year Shortlist
- Borussia Dortmund
- Girona
- Bayer Leverkusen
- Real Madrid
- Manchester City
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