Ballon d'Or 2026: Five players shockingly omitted from award list

In the 2026 Ballon d'Or shortlist, five highly accomplished players were notably absent, sparking debate over the selection criteria. France Football's 30-man shortlist for the prestigious award, unveiled on September 8, prominently featured Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, and Lionel Messi. While trophy victories are significant, individual performances, consistency, and contributions in major competitions also play a crucial role in the evaluation process.

Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain/France) was one of the five players who deserved inclusion in the Ballon d'Or shortlist. Doué played a pivotal role in Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League victory, scoring five goals and contributing four assists in the European competition. He also scored 13 goals in 41 club appearances, helping his team retain the title.

Doué also started the Champions League final against Arsenal in Budapest, converting a penalty during the shootout. He then went on to represent France at the World Cup, scoring once and providing an assist in eight appearances.

Brazilian forward Raphinha, despite suffering several injuries, delivered impressive numbers for Barcelona, recording 21 goals and eight assists in 33 club appearances. His contributions, including 29 direct goal involvements, were instrumental in Barcelona's domestic and European success. Raphinha's performance and influence at the club level, despite his limited international appearances, justified his place among the 30 nominees.

In midfield, Pedri (Barcelona/Spain) demonstrated his exceptional ability to control the tempo and create opportunities for his team. His contributions of two goals and 12 assists in 43 club appearances were crucial in Barcelona's La Liga and Spanish Super Cup triumphs. Pedri also featured in all eight of Spain's World Cup matches as the national team secured the tournament's title. His strong performance earned him a spot on the Ballon d'Or shortlist, surpassing his ranking of 11th in the previous year's award.

Goalkeeper David Raya (Arsenal/Spain) was another player who should have been considered for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. Throughout the season, Raya played a key role in Arsenal's Premier League title victory, conceding only 19 goals and contributing to 28 clean sheets across all competitions. His crucial saves, including stopping Nuno Mendes' penalty in the shootout, solidified Arsenal's position as Premier League champions.

Raya's consistent and decisive performances earned him a place on the shortlist, despite his team's lack of silverware.

Finally, Argentine forward Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid/Argentina) completed the list of five players who were shockingly omitted from the 2026 Ballon d'Or shortlist. Álvarez contributed 20 goals and nine assists across La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey, even though Atlético Madrid failed to win any trophies.

His contributions were vital in helping Atlético reach the Champions League semi-finals and the domestic cup final. Additionally, his performance in Argentina's World Cup campaign, where he scored a crucial second goal in extra-time, further strengthened his case for nomination.