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Ballon d'Or race opens up without Messi and Ronaldo dominance

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 26, 2026, 10:15 AM

Last updated Oct 26, 2026

Ballon d'Or race opens up without Messi and Ronaldo dominance

Summary

The 2026 Ballon d'Or race is poised to be competitive, featuring a variety of candidates. Historically, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the award, each taking home the title multiple times since 2008. Their absence hints at a shift in the of individual honors in soccer. Messi remains nominated for the 2026 award, signaling that while their era may be over, the influence of these players continues to ripple through the sport.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Messi and Ronaldo won all but one Ballon d'Or from 2008 to 2021.
•Messi holds a record eight Ballon d'Or awards, winning most recently in 2023.
•Candidates like Xavi and Haaland are emerging as potential winners.
•No clear favorite exists for the 2026 Ballon d'Or.
•The award's history reflects the dominance of Messi and Ronaldo over the past two decades.

Latest Updates

10:15 AMYahoo Sports — From Xavi to Haaland: Ballon d’Or winners in a world without Messi and Ronaldo

What they're saying

"
The 2026 Ballon d'Or looks to be an open race with a number of candidates in contention. It's a contrast to much of the past two decades, when Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo hoovered up the prize....
— Yahoo Sports

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