The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony at the London Palladium delivered several unexpected results, with Bruno Fernandes finishing 27th, Jude Bellingham missing out on the top 10 and Lionel Messi climbing to fifth despite playing outside Europe’s major leagues.
- Bruno Fernandes finishes 27th
- Jude Bellingham misses out on the top 10
- Lionel Messi climbs to fifth
- Fabián Ruiz finishes 10th despite limited playing time
- Michael Olise misses out on the top five
- Vitinha and Vinícius Júnior disappoint
- Unai Simón wins the Yashin Trophy
- Lamine Yamal wins a third consecutive Kopa Trophy
Harry Kane claimed the men’s Ballon d’Or after an outstanding season with Bayern Munich and England, but the final rankings generated considerable debate over the influence of individual performances, team achievements and international tournaments on the voting.
From surprising finishes to controversial award decisions, here are the biggest shocks from this year’s ceremony.
Bruno Fernandes finishes 27th
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes suffered one of the most surprising disappointments in the rankings, finishing 27th despite producing an exceptional 2025–26 Premier League campaign.
The Portuguese midfielder broke the league record for the most assists in a single season and was named the division’s Player of the Year.
However, Fernandes finished behind five other Premier League players, prompting questions about whether his performances received sufficient recognition.
Although he was not considered the favourite to win the award, a place inside the top 20 would have better reflected his influence throughout the campaign.
Jude Bellingham misses out on the top 10
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham finished 11th, narrowly missing out on a place among the 10 highest-ranked players.
The England international remained one of football’s biggest names, having established himself as an important figure for both club and country. His position outside the top 10 nevertheless surprised supporters who expected him to rank higher.
Bellingham’s placement also raised questions about how voters assessed his individual contributions compared with players who enjoyed more successful campaigns in terms of trophies and statistics.
His 11th-place finish was particularly notable given that he was widely regarded as one of the leading midfield talents in world football.
Lionel Messi climbs to fifth
Lionel Messi’s fifth-place finish was another major talking point, with the Inter Miami forward ranking ahead of several players who had impressive campaigns in European football.
Despite playing outside Europe’s major leagues, the Argentine superstar remained among the five highest-ranked players in the world.
Messi finished ahead of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, who placed eighth, and Paris Saint-Germain’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who ranked sixth.
His position demonstrated the continued influence of his reputation and individual quality, although it also sparked debate over whether performances outside Europe’s leading competitions should carry the same weight in Ballon d’Or voting.
Fabián Ruiz finishes 10th despite limited playing time
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabián Ruiz secured 10th place after winning several major honours with his club and Spain.
Ruiz helped PSG retain the Champions League and win Ligue 1 before adding the World Cup to his achievements with Spain.
However, his individual statistics raised questions about his position in the rankings. He played 20 Ligue 1 matches, starting 13, and recorded three goals and six assists across 2,634 minutes for club and country.
His limited playing time compared with several other contenders made his top-10 finish a subject of debate, particularly with Bellingham and Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí finishing immediately behind him in 11th and 12th respectively.
Michael Olise misses out on the top five
Michael Olise produced exceptional numbers for Bayern Munich but finished ninth in the voting.
The French winger recorded 22 goals and 31 assists in 52 appearances for Bayern during the previous season. He also registered seven assists at the World Cup, a tournament record according to the report.
Those numbers appeared strong enough to put him among the leading contenders, but Olise finished behind several players, including Ruiz.
Harry Kane’s extraordinary campaign for Bayern and Kylian Mbappé’s standing in French football may have overshadowed Olise’s achievements. Nevertheless, his performances suggested he deserved a stronger position in the final rankings.
Vitinha and Vinícius Júnior disappoint
Vitinha finished 14th despite playing an important role in Paris Saint-Germain’s European campaign.
The Portuguese midfielder’s performances helped PSG remain among the continent’s leading sides, but his ranking fell short of expectations. Portugal’s disappointing World Cup campaign was identified as a possible factor in his final position.
Vinícius Júnior also endured a significant drop, finishing 17th after previously featuring prominently in discussions surrounding the podium.
The Real Madrid forward’s position represented a dramatic change from his previous standing among the leading contenders. His result raised questions about how voters assessed his performances and whether the competition’s increasingly crowded field influenced the outcome.
Unai Simón wins the Yashin Trophy
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón claimed the Yashin Trophy after helping his country win the World Cup, conceding just once on their way to the title.
However, his performances throughout the domestic season raised questions about whether he was the most deserving winner.
Simón conceded 54 goals in 37 La Liga appearances for Athletic Club, who finished 12th, while his save percentage stood at 64.9%.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya finished second, while Barcelona’s Joan García placed seventh despite enjoying an impressive domestic campaign.
Spain’s defensive strength during the World Cup appeared to play a significant role in Simón’s victory, with the team allowing only 10 shots on target throughout the tournament.
Lamine Yamal wins a third consecutive Kopa Trophy
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for a third consecutive year, continuing his remarkable rise in world football.
His quality was never in doubt, particularly after finishing third in the main Ballon d’Or voting. However, his latest victory reignited the debate over whether previous winners should remain eligible for the award.
The Golden Boy award uses a different approach, excluding previous winners from future consideration. A similar rule for the Kopa Trophy could create opportunities for other emerging talents.
Yamal himself acknowledged that another player deserved the recognition, saying as he accepted the award: “This one should have been for Pau Cubarsí.”
Cubarsí finished 12th in the main Ballon d’Or rankings, a result that also attracted criticism from supporters who believed the Barcelona defender deserved a higher position.
Yamal’s comments added another dimension to the discussion, with the young forward appearing keen to recognise his teammate rather than celebrate another individual honour.
