Four former Ballon d'Or winners unlikely to win again in 2026 award race
DAILY POST reports that four former Ballon d'Or winners—Lionel Messi, Rodri, Ousmane Dembélé, and Cristiano Ronaldo—are unlikely to win the 2026 award despite their past successes. Messi's failure to win the 2026 World Cup diminishes his chances despite his record eight wins. Rodri, who controversially won in 2024 ahead of Vinícius Júnior, faces skepticism about repeating. Dembélé, the current holder after winning with PSG in 2025, is unlikely to secure back-to-back wins despite Champions League and Ligue 1 doubles. Ronaldo, last victorious in 2017 with Real Madrid, hasn't reached the top three since moving to Juventus, Manchester United, and Al-Nassr.
This matters to Nigerian football fans because it highlights how the Ballon d'Or prioritizes recent form over legacy—a relevant lens when evaluating Super Eagles stars or Nigerian professionals abroad. With emerging talents like Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and African stars consistently performing at elite levels, the award reflects football's evolving hierarchy rather than past glory. Understanding this helps fans assess player achievements based on current impact rather than historical reputation alone.
The award nominees will be narrowed from 30 to 10 before the final three and winner are announced. For Nigerian followers tracking players like Victor Osimhen or Ademola Lookman, this underscores that consistent high-level performance in major leagues and tournaments carries more weight than past accolades when continental and global individual honors are considered. Will you judge Nigerian stars' Ballon d'Or prospects by their latest season's impact or their career reputation when evaluating their chances?