Real Madrid stars Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior miss the top 10 in the 2026 Ballon d'Or rankings revealed in London.
The 2026 men's Ballon d'Or awards ceremony in London delivered major surprises on Monday as several global football stars discovered their final positions in the annual player rankings.
Real Madrid midfielders and forwards experienced a difficult afternoon as prominent names failed to secure a spot inside the coveted top 10 positions during the ongoing announcement event.
England midfielder Jude Bellingham narrowly missed out by finishing in 11th place, while his Real Madrid teammate Vinicius Junior had to settle for the 17th position, according to information published by The Sun Nigeria.
Surprising rankings for Premier League and European stars
Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice secured the 15th position in the official standings. Paris Saint Germain midfielder Vitinha claimed 14th place just ahead of his club colleague.
Morocco international Achraf Hakimi, who also plays for Paris Saint Germain, successfully ranked 13th. Meanwhile, young Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi impressed by securing the 12th spot.
Defenders and midfielders complete the middle order
Other notable international names appeared further down the list during Monday's ceremony. Brazil defender Gabriel Magalhaes finished in 21st place for his performances.
Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez took 22nd position, while Colombia winger Luis Diaz secured 24th place. Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was placed 27th overall.
Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano came in at 26th place, and Paris Saint Germain defender Marquinhos finished 25th. Paris Saint Germain midfielder Joao Neves took 19th place, and Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella reached 18th.
Confirmed contenders for the 2026 Ballon d'Or top ten
The remaining top 10 contenders were announced in alphabetical order during the prestigious event in London. The elite group features Ousmane Dembele, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane.
Additional finalists include Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Michael Olise, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, and Lamine Yamal. The ultimate winner and final order will be confirmed as the ceremony concludes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony held?
The 2026 Ballon d'Or awards ceremony took place in London, where the annual player rankings were officially announced on Monday.
What position did Jude Bellingham finish in the 2026 Ballon d'Or?
Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham finished in 11th place, narrowly missing out on a spot in the top 10 rankings.
Who are some of the players confirmed in the top 10 contenders?
The top 10 contenders announced in alphabetical order include Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Rodri.
What rank did Vinicius Junior achieve in the rankings?
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior was ranked 17th in the men's Ballon d'Or standings announced during the ceremony.
