
The 30-man nominee shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d'Or was released on Tuesday, with at least eight high-profile footballers absent, according to the Daily Post. Those missing include Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr and Portugal, Barcelona pair Pedri and Raphinha, Paris Saint-Germain's Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola, Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and David Raya, and Chelsea's Cole Palmer. The omissions have drawn attention given the players' stature in world football and their performances at both club and international level over the past season.
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- Daily Post (NG), Ifreke Inyang
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