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Ceremony in London: The big event is drawing near
The countdown has begun. In less than two weeks, the world’s soccer elite will gather in London for the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony. As is the case every year, the suspense remains until the envelopes are opened, and the 2026 edition is generating particular excitement due to the diversity of the roles represented.
The rules: Is a defender eligible?
The answer is clearly yes. The official rules of the Ballon d'Or make no distinction between positions: the award aims to recognise the best male or female player of the season based on their overall performances. All players on the list of 30 nominees therefore go into the vote on an equal footing, giving each one a legitimate chance of winning the top honour.
What history tells us: The three legends on the roll of honour
Despite this equality, history shows that winning the trophy is a remarkable feat for a defender. In the award’s seventy-year history, only three players in this position have managed to lift the ‘Ballon d'Or’:
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Franz Beckenbauer (1972 and 1976): He reinvented the role of the libero, becoming the playmaker for both Bayern Munich and the German national team
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Matthias Sammer (1996): The undisputed leader of the German side that triumphed at Euro 1996, the Borussia Dortmund player made his mark thanks to his impressive leadership and consistency throughout the year.
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Fabio Cannavaro (2006): The heroic captain of an unbeatable Italy at the 2006 World Cup in Germany – conceding just two goals – the Italian centre-back delivered a flawless tournament to become the last defender to be crowned to date.
Recent podium finishes
In recent years, several defenders have shown that they can compete at the very top of the world rankings. The most striking example remains that of Virgil van Dijk in 2019. Following a remarkable campaign culminating in a Champions League victory with Liverpool, the Dutch centre-back climbed to second place in the Ballon d'Or, missing out on top spot by just seven points behind Lionel Messi. Other giants of the position, such as Roberto Carlos (2nd in 2002) and Paolo Maldini (3rd in 1994 and 2003), also came close to the top of the rankings during the peak years of their careers.
The nine defenders nominated for the 2026 Ballon d'Or
Once again this year, defenders feature prominently amongst the 30 finalists in the men’s category. Nine defenders have been selected by the jury for the 2026 edition:
Pau Cubarsí (FC Barcelona / Spain)
Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain / Morocco)
Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain / Brazil)
Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain / Portugal)
William Saliba (Arsenal / France)
Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich / France)
Willian Pacho (Paris Saint-Germain / Ecuador)
Gabriel (Arsenal / Brazil)
Marc Cucurella (Real Madrid / Spain)
Having delivered outstanding performances for both club and country over recent months, these nine players epitomise modern excellence in their respective positions. It remains to be seen whether any of them will manage to shake up the established order at the official ceremony.
