Home / Sports / Ronaldo Snubbed: Ballon d'Or Shortlist Ignores Star
Ronaldo Snubbed: Ballon d'Or Shortlist Ignores Star
9 Sep
Summary
- Ronaldo's name absent from Ballon d'Or nominee list for fourth year.
- He led Al-Nassr to league title with 28 goals, adding 3 World Cup goals.
- Saudi Pro League's global ranking impacts player recognition.
For the fourth year running, Cristiano Ronaldo will not feature on the Ballon d'Or nominee list. France Football revealed its 30-man selection for the 2026 award, excluding the Portuguese superstar.
Ronaldo had a strong season, leading Al-Nassr to their first Saudi Pro League championship in seven years with 28 goals, including a decisive brace on the final matchday. He also contributed three goals during the 2026 World Cup.
However, these achievements did not secure a nomination. The Ballon d'Or considers individual performance, team success, and the level of competition. The Saudi Pro League's current global ranking of 36th means domestic achievements outside Europe often lack the necessary weight for voters.
Despite Ronaldo's exclusion, two other Saudi Pro League players made the list: Julián Quiñones for his 33 league goals and World Cup contributions, and Sadio Mané. Mané's nomination was boosted by his performance in leading Senegal to the Africa Cup of Nations final, emphasizing international impact over club goal tallies alone.
Ronaldo holds the record for most Ballon d'Or nominations, with 18 consecutive appearances from 2005 to 2022. His move to Saudi Arabia in 2023 has seen him miss the shortlist for two consecutive years, a stark contrast to his previous standing and indicating a shift in his global football influence.
