PSG make Ballon d’Or history with nine nominations

Morocco international Achraf Hakimi is among nine Paris Saint-Germain players nominated for the Ballon d’Or as the French champions became the first club to have nine nominees in consecutive editions of the prestigious award.

The nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, which will be presented in Paris on 26 October, were announced on Tuesday, with reigning European champions PSG dominating the 30-man shortlist.

Hakimi’s inclusion provides another major moment for African football, with the Moroccan defender continuing to establish himself among the world’s leading players.

PSG dominate 30-man shortlist

Hakimi is joined by PSG team-mates Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, João Neves, Fabián Ruiz, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Willian Pacho, Marquinhos and Ousmane Dembélé, the current holder of the prestigious trophy awarded by France Football.

PSG also had nine players nominated in the previous edition, becoming the first club in Ballon d’Or history to achieve the feat in back-to-back years.

The achievement follows another dominant period for Les Parisiens, who have won the UEFA Champions League in consecutive seasons.

Hakimi flies the flag for Morocco and Africa

Hakimi’s nomination further underlines his importance to both PSG and the Moroccan national team.

The Atlas Lions star remains one of Africa’s most prominent footballers and his place on the shortlist ensures continental representation among the world’s elite players.

For Moroccan and African football supporters, his continued recognition on the global stage reflects the growing influence of African players at Europe’s biggest clubs and individual awards.

Bayern closest challengers

With nine players nominated, PSG are comfortably the most represented club on this year’s shortlist.

Bayern Munich are the next best-represented side with four nominees.

Real Madrid have previously had nine players nominated in a single Ballon d’Or edition, but no club had managed to produce nine nominees in consecutive years before PSG.

Barcola and Doué miss out

There were, however, notable omissions from the PSG squad.

Bradley Barcola, who left the Parc des Princes for Liverpool earlier in the summer, was not included on the shortlist, while Désiré Doué also missed out despite being a regular for the French champions.

Nevertheless, PSG’s nine nominations represent another historic milestone for the club, with Hakimi once again standing among the leading African names competing for football’s most prestigious individual prize.