{
  "id": 6366611,
  "title": "Harry Kane Makes Ballon d’Or Shortlist",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/harry-kane-makes-ballon-dor-shortlist",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T01:42:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/09/09/harry-kane-makes-ballon-dor-shortlist/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has been named on the 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, alongside Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham and Arsenal's Declan Rice. The English trio, with Kane being the front-runner, are joined by Lionel Messi of Inter Miami, who is seeking his ninth Ballon d'Or. The 39-year-old Argentine scored eight goals in the World Cup final, where Argentina lost to Spain in July, following Messi's retirement from international football.\n\nLamine Yamal, one of six Spanish players who won the World Cup, is included on the shortlist. Paris St-Germain forward Ferran Torres, who scored the decisive goal in the final, also makes the cut. The nine-time winners of the Champions League have nine players on the list, excluding new signing Torres, with last year's winner Ousmane Dembele among them.\n\nKylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr of Real Madrid, along with Arsenal defenders Gabriel and William Saliba, are also nominees. The prestigious award, celebrating its 70th anniversary since its creation by France Football in 1956, will be announced at a ceremony in London on October 26th. The choice of London as the venue is a tribute to former England player Sir Stanley Matthews, who won the first Ballon d'Or.",
  "summary": "Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is one of three England players nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Arsenal’s Declan Rice join Kane, the favourite for",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}