Ferran Torres Leads Ballon d'Or Nominees After World Cup

Ferran Torres is the headline name on the 30-man shortlist for the men's Ballon d'Or. The Spanish forward's decisive goal against Argentina in the July 2026 World Cup final has propelled him to the forefront of football's most prestigious individual award. His nomination was confirmed on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

Why is Ferran Torres the Ballon d'Or frontrunner?

The 26-year-old scored the only goal in Spain's 1-0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final last July. That moment of glory in the biggest game on the planet is the central reason for his nomination. Torres also secured a domestic league title with Barcelona in May, completing a remarkable double of club and international success. His performances have placed him ahead of a field packed with global stars.

How does his move to PSG affect the race?

Torres has since joined Paris Saint-Germain, a club that dominates this year's Ballon d'Or list. He is now teammates with last year's winner, Ousmane Dembele. In total, 10 current PSG players are nominated, a reflection of their back-to-back Champions League triumphs. Among them, Fabian Ruiz is the only player to have won the Champions League and World Cup in 2026.

Who else is in contention for the award?

The list features six of Torres's Spanish World Cup-winning teammates, including 2024 laureate Rodri and last year's runner-up Lamine Yamal. Lionel Messi earned his 17th nomination for inspiring Argentina to the final, where they took almost 120 minutes to muster their first shot against Spain. His long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo was omitted. England captain Harry Kane is included after winning the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, as is his French team-mate Michael Olise. Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham also made the cut. Flying Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a star of PSG's successful Champions League defence, is nominated alongside Portuguese midfield pair Vitinha and Joao Neves.

What about the women's Ballon d'Or?

In the women's section, three-time winner Aitana Bonmati missed the shortlist after breaking her leg during the season. Her former Barcelona teammate Alexia Putellas, the winner in 2021 and 2022, is nominated. Putellas now plays for London City Lionesses.

• Ferran Torres scored the winning goal for Spain in the July 2026 World Cup final.
• He is one of 10 current PSG players nominated for the Ballon d'Or.
• The 30-man shortlist was revealed on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.