Bruno Fernandes, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi
The 30-man nominee list for this year's Ballon d'Or has been announced and there are some interesting inclusions and shock omissions.
While the likes of Arsenal's Premier League title-winning defensive duo William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have been included, Barcelona pair Raphinha and Pedri have been snubbed despite playing lead roles in last season's La Liga title win. This didn't go down well with the Catalan club's director, Deco, who thinks it's a 'global scandal'.
There are three factors behind votes for players: individual performance, team achievements, and class combined with fair play. Over the years, trophy success has proven crucial, and many believe a World Cup winner deserves to be awarded the Ballon d'Or prize this October.
With that said, we have decided to assess all 30 nominated players based on their individual performance during the 2025-26 season. Using FotMob's ratings for each player during the campaign, here is how the rankings would look.
30 - 26
Fabian Ruiz in action for Paris Saint-Germain
Marc Cucurella (Spain) prepares for World Cup final
Ferran Torres scores for Barcelona
Kicking off the list is Marc Cucurella, who finished last season with a rating of 6.82 in a Chelsea team that capitulated once Liam Rosenior replaced Enzo Maresca. The Spanish left-back had started the campaign strongly and was particularly impressive in the Blues' 3-0 win over Barcelona, keeping Lamine Yamal quiet.
Next up is Marquinhos, who captained Paris Saint-Germain to UEFA Champions League glory for a second consecutive season. The veteran Brazilian earned a 6.95 rating as he continued to boss Ligue 1 attackers in Luis Enrique's backline.
If Enrique had his way, Fabian Ruiz would be crowned the 2026 Ballon d'Or winner, but on the basis of his 6.99 rating, he doesn't even crack the top 20. While the midfielder played an important role in Spain's World Cup triumph, injuries disrupted his season with PSG.
Ferran Torres joined Ruiz at the Parc des Princes earlier this summer after scoring the winner in the final against Argentina. The Spanish attacker came in and out of Barca's team last season, which explains his 7.01 rating.
PSG are again represented and Willian Pacho continues to stake his claim as one of the best defenders in world football. A superb season with the Parisians earned him a rating of 7.09, and the Ecuadorian may rightfully feel hard done by not finishing higher up this list.
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Rank Player Team (2025-26) Position Rating
30 Marc Cucurella Chelsea Defender 6.82
29 Marquinhos Paris Saint-Germain Defender 6.95
28. Fabian Ruiz Paris Saint-Germain Midfielder 6.99
27. Ferran Torres Barcelona Forward 7.01
26. Willian Pacho Paris Saint-Germain Defender 7.09
25 - 21
Many regard Arsenal as the best defensive team in Europe, and William Saliba continues to show why he's considered the top center-back in Europe. The Frenchman, unlike his Brazilian defensive partner, didn't have much impact in the goalscoring department, but his world-class consistency earned him a 7.16 rating.
It's easy to forget that Pau Cubarsi is only 19, as the Barca defender plays his football with maturity beyond his years. Not only did he claim a 7.19 rating for his contributions at Camp Nou, but he went on to win the World Cup and the Young Player of the Tournament award with Spain.
Gabriel finishes just two places above Saliba, and his effectiveness from set pieces is hard to ignore, finishing the Premier League campaign with three goals and four assists. He earned a 7.20 rating, but when the ceremony itself swings around, Brazil's World Cup struggles will probably prove costly.
The highest-rated central defender on this list is Dayot Upamecano, whose dominant displays in Bayern Munich's Bundesliga title-winning season earned him a 7.28 rating. The Frenchman put pen to paper on a new deal with the Bavarians after Real Madrid had shown interest.
Joao Neves is a key cog in the PSG machine, and the Portuguese midfielder finishes just outside of the top 20 with a rating of 7.33. At just 21 years old, he is dominating some of Europe's best midfields with ease.
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Rank Player Team Position Rating
25 William Saliba Arsenal Defender 7.16
24 Pau Cubarsi Barcelona Defender 7.19
23 Gabriel Magalhaes Arsenal Defender 7.20
22 Dayot Upamecano Bayern Munich Defender 7.28
21 Joao Neves Paris Saint-Germain Midfielder 7.33
20 to 16
It will be a huge surprise if Rodri doesn't at least finish in the top 10 after his World Cup heroics, but his performance at club level with Manchester City wasn't of the same standard. Not fully at his best after recovering from an ACL injury, but with a rating of 7.34, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner still features among the best players last season.
Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez fired his side to Serie A glory, winning the Golden Boot in the process. His exploits at the San Siro earned him a 7.39 rating, finishing just behind three more PSG stars.
Achraf Hakimi is another Parisian who thrived last season and his overall performance earned him a 7.40 rating. Last season's Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele looks likely to hand his award over, but despite injury problems, he still came up with 20 goals and 11 assists to earn a 7.43 rating.
While Portugal failed to impress at the World Cup, Nuno Mendes came into the tournament deemed one of, if not the, best left-backs in the world. A rating of 7.45 reflects how impactful he was and remains in Enrique's dominant team.
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Rank Player Team Position Rating
20. Rodri Manchester City Midfielder 7.34
19. Lautaro Martinez Inter Milan Forward 7.39
18. Achraf Hakimi Paris Saint-Germain Defender 7.40
17. Ousmane Dembele Paris Saint-Germain Forward 7.43
16. Nuno Mendes Paris Saint-Germain Defender 7.45
15 to 11
There were debates held over Jude Bellingham starting for England at the World Cup, but his doubters clearly hadn't kept up with his campaign with Real Madrid. While not at his very best, he still proved why he is one of the best talents the country has produced, achieving a 7.45 rating.
Finishing the season trophyless is why Bellingham seems certain to miss out on a podium finish, but Declan Rice is in with a shout. Right at the heart of Arsenal's title win, he delivered especially from set pieces and earned a 7.49 rating.
It's back to Paris as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia finishes 13th after a season in which he earned a 7.52 rating. Unfortunately, the Georgian didn't get to showcase his incredible talent at the World Cup, which might prevent him from claiming the award at London's ceremony.
Erling Haaland certainly did come to the fore during this summer's tournament, and it's just become the norm for him to reach ridiculous goal-scoring numbers. The Manchester City striker finished the campaign with 38 goals, getting his hands on the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, but a 7.57 rating means he isn't a Ballon d'Or contender.
REUTERS/Jon Nazca
There might not have been a player who encountered a more topsy-turvy season than Vinicius Junior, who went 1537 minutes without scoring. Once he broke his duck, he refound his groove and earned a 7.59 rating despite Real Madrid failing to win any silverware.
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Rank Player Team Position Rating
15. Jude Bellingham Real Madrid Midfielder 7.45
14. Declan Rice Arsenal Midfielder 7.49
13. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Napoli Forward 7.52
12. Erling Haaland Manchester City Forward 7.57
11. Vinicius Jr Real Madrid Forward 7.59
10 to 6
Perhaps the biggest underperformer at the World Cup was Vitinha, given he'd starred for PSG last season, earning a 7.60 rating. Many, including Thomas Frank, had tipped him to win the Ballon d'Or, but his international performances would prevent him from doing so.
Sadio Mane is one of two surprise names to make the top 10 on this list, although it's important to note that the Liverpool hero is now playing his football with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. Still, he recorded 24 goals and 12 assists, earning a 7.75 rating after helping Cristiano Ronaldo finally win the Saudi title.
One of Bayern's standout performers last season, Luis Diaz takes eighth place with a rating of 7.78. The Colombian winger purred alongside two of his teammates, who we will soon get to.
Julian Quinones made a name for himself at the World Cup with Mexico and in Saudi the forward proved his worth, finishing top of the top-flight's goalscoring charts with 33 goals. That's why the Al-Qadsiash frontman's rating of 7.99 puts him seventh on this list.
In fifth place is Manchester United's history-maker Bruno Fernandes, who has surely become a club legend. While a trophy didn't arrive for the 8.01-rated Portuguese playmaker, a record did as his tally of 21 Premier League assists broke Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne's single-season record.
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Rank Player Team Position Rating
10. Vitinha Paris Saint-Germain Midfielder 7.60
9. Sadio Mane Al-Nassr Forward 7.75
8. Luis Diaz Liverpool Forward 7.78
7. Julian Quinones Al-Qadsiah Forward 7.99
6. Bruno Fernandes Manchester United Midfielder 8.01
5 - 1
The top five make for interesting reading, and Bayern's Michael Olise takes his rightful place among them. Why wouldn't he, after producing a remarkable tally of 22 goals and 31 assists across competitions?
Olise has evolved into one of the best attacking talents in the world and earned an 8.06 rating for his stellar 2025-26 season. Had France won the World Cup or the Bavarians won the Champions League, he'd probably finish in the Ballon d'Or proper top three.
'I'd vote for myself,' claimed Kylian Mbappe earlier this week when asked who he believes should take the award this year. He pointed out that he's become the World Cup's all-time top scorer but when it comes to this list, that tournament isn't factored in.
Real Madrid's trophy failures last season are why Mbappe could miss out on winning the Ballon d'Or. But his individual 8.13 performance certainly makes him a frontrunner, having registered 42 goals in 44 games across competitions.
The US has been handed the honour of hosting Lionel Messi's swansong, and the 39-year-old remains one of, if not the best players on the planet. World Cup brilliance aside, he achieved an 8.21 rating last season for firing Inter Miami to the MLS Cup, finishing with 45 goals and 30 assists.
Messi insisted after winning his record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or in 2023 that he no longer chases individual awards after achieving World Cup glory in 2022. But he'd probably be more than pleased to pick up the award for a ninth time in the English capital next month.
It's been 25 years since an Englishman last held the golden prize and that was Michael Owen in 2001. It seems fitting for Harry Kane to be crowned this year's winner in London, where he spent time growing at Tottenham Hotspur.
Kane has gone to the next level since heading to Bayern and last season was the best of his career. The England skipper earned an 8.22 rating, breaking records and finishing the campaign a Bundesliga champion with 61 goals in all competitions.
Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal
If FotMob's ratings determined this year's Ballon d'Or race, Lamine Yamal would reign supreme with a rating of 8.34. The 19-year-old finished runner-up last year, and many expect him to finish in the top two again.
A World Cup triumph could prove beneficial for the Spanish wonderkid, but his exploits with Barcelona are also going to be key. Yamal flourished under Hansi Flick, bagging 24 goals and 18 assists, winning the La Liga title and the Supercopa de Espana.
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Ballon d'Or Rankings Based on FotMob's 2025-26 Player Ratings
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Ballon d'Or Power Rankings
Ballon d'Or Power Rankings