Confirmed: Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí and Rodri Make 2026 Ballon d’Or Shortlist
Barcelona will have three representatives competing for the biggest individual prize in football after Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí and summer signing Rodri were officially included among the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
For Yamal and Cubarsí, the recognition comes after another outstanding season in which both teenagers established themselves as important figures for Barcelona and Spain.
Rodri, meanwhile, enters the race as one of the most experienced contenders and will be hoping to claim the award for a second time.
Lamine Yamal Has Another Chance at Glory
Yamal returns to the Ballon d’Or shortlist for the third consecutive year and will once again be among the players expected to challenge for the trophy.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a phenomenal 2025/26 campaign, recording 24 goals and 18 assists in 45 appearances for Barcelona.
His contribution helped the club secure La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup before he continued his excellent form with Spain at the 2026 World Cup.
Yamal finished second in last year's Ballon d’Or voting behind Ousmane Dembélé. After coming so close previously, the Barcelona winger will now have another opportunity to go one step further.
Cubarsí Earns Recognition for Remarkable Rise
Pau Cubarsí has also been rewarded for an extraordinary season.
Despite still being a teenager, the La Masia graduate became an increasingly important figure in Barcelona's defence and established himself as one of the club's leading defensive talents.
His performances also translated onto the international stage. Cubarsí played a major role in Spain's World Cup triumph, with the team conceding just one goal throughout the tournament.
His Ballon d’Or nomination further highlights how quickly he has risen among Europe's elite young defenders.
OUR 2026 MEN'S BALLON D'OR NOMINEES! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/GQFsH5u5lO
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) September 8, 2026
Can Rodri Win the Trophy Again?
Rodri is the third Barcelona player on the shortlist and arguably brings the strongest Ballon d’Or résumé of the trio.
The midfielder was outstanding for Spain at the 2026 World Cup, where his performances and leadership earned him the Golden Ball.
Having already won the Ballon d’Or in 2024, Rodri now has the opportunity to become a two-time winner.
His move to Barcelona this summer has only added another chapter to an already remarkable career.
Several Barcelona Stars Miss Out
While three Barça players made the final 30, some notable names were left out.
Captain Raphinha failed to receive a nomination after an injury-disrupted campaign with both Barcelona and Brazil.
Pedri was also absent, while Fermin López's omission is particularly surprising given his productive season and trophy-winning campaign.
Ferran Torres, who left Barcelona for PSG during the summer, did make the shortlist after enjoying the best season of his career before scoring Spain's decisive goal in the World Cup final.
The Ballon d’Or Race Is Stacked
Barcelona's nominees will face formidable competition.
Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Marquinhos represent PSG, while Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane and Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé are also in contention.
Lionel Messi has again been nominated after a successful spell with Inter Miami followed by another impressive World Cup campaign with Argentina.
Other major names on the list include Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes, Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Michael Olise, who recorded an extraordinary 31 assists last season.
With three Barcelona players in the final 30, the club will have plenty of interest in the ceremony—but the biggest question remains: will one of them finally lift the Ballon d’Or?