Why is Ronaldo not on Ballon d’Or 2026 nominees list?

Cristiano Ronaldo recorded 30 goals and five assists in 37 appearances for Al Nassr in all competitions last season. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

The Ballon d’Or is one of football’s most prestigious individual prizes, and the latest winner of it will be announced in London on Monday.

The award was created by France Football and has been handed out since 1956 for men, and since 2018 for women. It is voted on by journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings for the men’s award and the top 50 FIFA-ranked countries for the women’s award.

A nominee list of 30 players each is released for both men and women, and this year the men’s list, as expected, was dominated by players from FIFA World Cup winner Spain and UEFA Champions League winner PSG.

Why is Cristiano Ronaldo not in the Ballon d’Or 2026 nominees list?

As mentioned earlier, the award is given based on the votes of journalists, who will pick the players who have stood out throughout the season.

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo recorded 30 goals and five assists in 37 appearances for Al Nassr in all competitions last season, while also clinching his first Saudi Pro League title.

But despite the achievements, playing outside the top leagues in Europe will definitely have swayed the voters.

Moreover, he had a disappointing FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign where he scored three goals in five games before his nation Portugal was eliminated by eventual winner Spain in the round of 16.