The Brazil national team has three players nominated for the 2026 Ballon d'Or award. Vinicius Júnior, Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães are the Brazilian names among the 30 finalists announced on Tuesday, as revealed by the award organizers, France Football and UEFA.
The evaluation period for the 70th edition of the prize covers the entire 2025/26 European season and includes performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The awards ceremony is scheduled for October 26 and, for the first time, will be held in London, breaking with the Paris tradition. The change pays homage to Stanley Matthews, the first winner of the trophy in 1956 when he played for English club Blackpool.
Who are the Brazilian nominees?
Vinicius Júnior, the Real Madrid forward, is one of the leading names on the list after a decisive season with his club and the national team. His Seleção teammate, defender Marquinhos, captain of Paris Saint-Germain, also features among the contenders. The third representative is defender Gabriel Magalhães, a key piece at Arsenal who has been earning a consistent place in the national squad. The presence of all three reinforces a positive moment for Brazilian football, which seeks to reclaim world dominance. The last Brazilian win was in 2007, with Kaká.
How does the race look this year?
The competition for the world's best player title in 2026 promises to be fierce. Lionel Messi of Inter Miami, the award's all-time leader with eight Ballon d'Or wins, is in the running again. On the other hand, Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr is absent from the 30-name list for the first time in many years. Other strong candidates include the current trophy holder, Ousmane Dembélé of PSG, plus stars like Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé. The full list gathers talent from clubs like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Liverpool.
What does this mean for the Brazil squad?
The nomination of three players is a positive signal for World Cup 2026 preparations. Having athletes among the planet's best raises the competitive level of the group. Manager Dorival Júnior can count on this high-level experience to build his team. Brazil's next official match is scheduled for October, a preparatory friendly featuring the squad called up. The individual performance of these names will be closely monitored, as physical form and match rhythm are essential data for planning the world campaign.
Who else features on the list?
Beyond those already mentioned, the list of 30 players has a strong European presence. Lamine Yamal, the young Barcelona prospect, and Harry Kane of Bayern are among the forwards. Midfielders like Rodri of Manchester City also appear. The winner will be decided based on a long and demanding season that peaked at the world tournament. Voting is conducted by specialized journalists from around the world. Fans can follow the progress of the Brazilian nominees through our stats and fixtures pages. Brazil's last match was a 3-1 friendly victory in June.
