Harry Kane and Alessia Russo among nominees for 2026 Ballon d'Or
The nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or have been announced, with Harry Kane and Alessia Russo featuring among the contenders for the prestigious individual award. The shortlists cover both the men's and women's categories, highlighting standout performers from across European football. The full nominee lists span players from the top leagues, reflecting another season of high-level competition.
Read the full story at theguardian.comThe Ballon d'Or shortlist is always a useful barometer of the season's defining performers, and the inclusion of Kane and Russo underlines how the award continues to recognise goalscoring excellence across both the men's and women's game. Russo's nomination reinforces the growing stature of women's football on the global stage, while Kane's continued presence at the top of the men's shortlist reflects his sustained output at the highest level. For fans, the shortlist sparks debate over who deserves the ultimate individual honour, and the eventual winner will shape the narrative around the year's biggest campaigns.
Context added by Socc360, not by theguardian.com.
Data source: theguardian.com (via Socc360). Last updated .
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