Paris Saint-Germain have made history at the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards after securing 10 places on the 30-player shortlist for the men’s prize. The achievement sets a new record for the most nominees from a single club in one edition of the prestigious individual award.
The milestone reflects PSG’s remarkable strength following another successful season in European football. Under Luis Enrique, the French giants retained their Champions League crown by defeating Arsenal in the final, further strengthening their reputation as one of the continent’s leading teams.
PSG’s latest achievement also surpasses their previous record. Nine players from the club were nominated in the previous edition, but the 2026 shortlist takes that number to 10.
With one-third of all nominees representing the same club, PSG have become a major talking point ahead of the ceremony. However, their impressive representation does not guarantee that the eventual winner will come from Paris.
PSG Dominate the Ballon d’Or 2026 Shortlist
The 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist features 30 players, with 10 representing Paris Saint-Germain. No other club has managed to place as many players on a single men’s shortlist.
The nominated PSG players are:
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Ousmane Dembélé
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Achraf Hakimi
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Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
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Marquinhos
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Nuno Mendes
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João Neves
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Willian Pacho
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Fabián Ruiz
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Ferran Torres
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Vitinha
The list highlights the depth of PSG’s squad across several positions. Attackers, midfielders and defenders have all earned recognition, showing that the club’s success has depended on contributions throughout the team.
Their Champions League triumph has played a major role in attracting attention to individual performances. Competing deep into Europe’s biggest club competition gave PSG players opportunities to demonstrate their quality against elite opposition.
The record also underlines the club’s growing influence in European football. Rather than relying on one standout performer, PSG have built a squad capable of producing important contributions from multiple players.
Ousmane Dembélé Hopes to Build on His 2025 Success
Ousmane Dembélé is one of the leading names among PSG’s nominees. After winning the Ballon d’Or in 2025, the French forward has another opportunity to compete for football’s most prestigious individual honour.
His performances in the 2025/26 Champions League campaign helped strengthen his case. Dembélé scored eight goals and supplied two assists in 13 appearances in the competition.
Those numbers demonstrate his influence in the attacking third, where his movement and ability to create opportunities have made him an important part of PSG’s system.
However, retaining the Ballon d’Or will not be straightforward. The shortlist includes several players who have delivered outstanding performances for their clubs and national teams.
Dembélé will need to stand out among strong competition if he hopes to claim the award for a second consecutive year.
Kvaratskhelia and Vitinha Strengthen PSG’s Challenge
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has also enjoyed a memorable European campaign.
The Georgian winger recorded 10 goals and six assists in 16 Champions League matches during the 2025/26 season. His contribution helped PSG maintain their attacking threat throughout the tournament.
Kvaratskhelia’s performances earned him UEFA’s Player of the Season award for the Champions League, providing further recognition of his influence.
Vitinha is another important candidate. The Portuguese midfielder has earned his third consecutive Ballon d’Or nomination after another impressive season in the PSG midfield.
He scored six goals and provided one assist in the Champions League campaign. Vitinha also received Player of the Match recognition in the final against Arsenal.
His nomination reflects the importance of midfield control in PSG’s success. While goals often attract the most attention, Vitinha’s ability to influence the game from the centre of the pitch has helped the team maintain its competitive edge.
Both players give PSG additional contenders in a race that will feature some of the biggest names in world football.
PSG Defenders Prove Their Worth on the European Stage
PSG’s record-breaking shortlist is not limited to attacking stars. Several defensive players have also received recognition for their contributions during the Champions League campaign.
Achraf Hakimi stands out for his ability to support attacks from the right flank. The Moroccan defender registered six assists in the competition, highlighting his importance in PSG’s forward play.
Willian Pacho has earned his first Ballon d’Or nomination after establishing himself as a key figure in the back line.
The Ecuadorian defender played in all 17 of PSG’s Champions League matches and recorded 105 ball recoveries. That was the highest total among PSG players in the competition.
Captain Marquinhos and left-back Nuno Mendes have also made the shortlist. Both played important roles in maintaining the defensive structure that helped PSG secure another European title.
Their inclusion demonstrates that the club’s success has involved more than attacking quality. Defensive discipline, recovery work and consistency have also contributed to the team’s achievements.
Fabián Ruiz adds another notable accomplishment to the group. He became the only PSG player to win both the Champions League with the club and the 2026 World Cup with Spain in the same year, according to the supplied information.
Who Could Win the Ballon d’Or 2026?
Despite having 10 nominees, PSG cannot assume that the Ballon d’Or trophy will return to Paris.
The award is decided through voting, and the number of nominees from a club does not determine the final winner. Individual performances, major achievements and consistency all play important roles in the race.
Other leading names include Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Rodri. Their performances provide additional competition for PSG’s candidates.
Dembélé has the advantage of being the reigning winner, while Kvaratskhelia and Vitinha can point to their important contributions during PSG’s European campaign.
The final result will depend on how voters compare those achievements with the performances of players from other clubs.
Ballon d’Or 2026 Ceremony: Date and Expectations
The Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony is scheduled for 26 October at the London Palladium in England.
For PSG, the record of 10 nominations is already a major milestone. It highlights the depth of the squad and the impact of a season in which the club successfully defended its Champions League title.
The ceremony will determine whether one of PSG’s stars can turn that collective recognition into an individual triumph.
Whatever the final outcome, the Parisian club have already achieved something remarkable. With 10 players on the shortlist, PSG have set a new benchmark for club representation at the Ballon d’Or and underlined their position among the leading teams in world football.
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