France Football excludes notable players from 2026 Ballon d'Or shortlist

France Football released its 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d'Or on Tuesday, identifying candidates for the annual soccer award. Several high-profile players were omitted from the final list, including Martin Odegaard, Raphinha, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Desire Doue, a key starter for Paris Saint-Germain during their domestic and European campaign, also failed to make the cut. Other notable exclusions include Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, and Pedri, despite their contributions to club and national team success. The announcement follows a season featuring the 2026 World Cup, where Spain claimed the title. Current nominees include Lionel Messi, who received his 17th nomination, along with 2024 winner Rodri and 2025 runner-up Lamine Yamal.

• 10:27 PMYahoo Sports — The biggest names left off Ballon d'Or shortlist, from Raphinha to Ronaldo