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Find out what the unseen sacrifice was that made ‘El Toro’ a 2026 Ballon d'Or nominee.

2026 Ballon d’Or nominee Sadio Mane has travelled an extraordinary journey to the top, encompassing poverty, an unwavering belief, and ultimately philanthropy.

From PSG captain to captain of the Brazilian national team, Marquinhos stands out both on and off the pitch. Following a historic season, the centre-back received his second nomination for the Ballon d’Or – seven years after his first.

From a youngster who came through the ranks at Corinthians to becoming captain and a figurehead of one of Europe’s most powerful clubs, Marquinhos has built a career spanning more than a decade at the very top. He has won 40 trophies with PSG, two Champions League titles and has been nominated twice for the Ballon d’Or – figures that help to illustrate the calibre of a centre-back who has turned longevity, leadership and consistency into a historic career.

The man who broke his Russian contract in March 2022 to come home to Tbilisi is now the modern PSG record-holder in the Champions League. The trajectory tells a story far bigger than statistics.

What began as a comical misunderstanding in Germany went on to become one of the most iconic and successful manager-player partnerships in Liverpool’s history.

The man who broke his Russian contract in March 2022 to come home to Tbilisi is now the modern PSG record-holder in the Champions League. The trajectory tells a story far bigger than statistics.

Find out what the two psychological pillars were that enabled the 19-year-old winger to shake off the pressure, reach the top of the world and secure his third consecutive nomination for the Ballon d'Or.

Behind the name Lamine Yamal lies a story of loyalty that nobody knew about. Find out more.

Multiple Ballon d’Or nominee Harry Kane became England’s record World Cup goalscorer this summer. Here are all 14 of his tournament strikes revisited.

Nominated for the Ballon d’Or for the second time in 2026, Achraf Hakimi has become one of Morocco’s great leaders and one of the leading voices in African football. This is the story of his career.

From his Bundesliga speed record to his outstanding performances for Dortmund: Hakimi’s time in Germany was brief, but proved decisive in his rise to the very top of world football. Now, the Moroccan has received yet another nomination for the ‘Ballon d’Or’.

Blessed with a phenomenal ability to find the back of the net time and time again, Erling Haaland’s prolificacy has astounded and confounded the footballing world since first emerging as a force to be reckoned with in Scandinavia. Here, in his own words, the forward offers up insights into a mindset that never settles for just a single strike…

Blessed with a phenomenal ability to find the back of the net time and time again, Erling Haaland’s prolificacy has astounded and confounded the footballing world since first emerging as a force to be reckoned with in Scandinavia. Here, in his own words, the forward offers up insights into a mindset that never settles for just a single strike…

Ballon d’Or nominees both, Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland have shared a similar journey to the top, forging a friendship that transcends rivalry.

Over the course of six seasons and more than 250 matches for Arsenal, Gabriel has established himself as one of the best centre-backs not only in England, but in world football.

From Pirituba to the top of the Premier League, Gabriel has built his career on the courage to face challenges and never give up. Now, the Arsenal centre-back is celebrating his first nomination for the Ballon d’Or.

This is the story of a boy from Colombia who overcame hunger to make his mark in Bayern Munich’s attack and compete for the 2026 Ballon d'Or.

We analyse the Colombian winger’s impressive campaign at Bayern Munich and the footballing reasons why he is among the nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or.

Bruno Fernandes, who holds the record for the most assists in a single Premier League season, has just received his second nomination for the Ballon d’Or, having established himself as one of the key figures in Manchester United’s recent history. Since joining the club, the Portuguese player has combined creativity, goals and leadership, building a legacy that goes far beyond the statistics.