Paris Saint-Germain have made history by becoming the first club ever to have 10 players nominated among the 30 Ballon d’Or finalists, underlining the strength of their squad following a remarkable campaign.
Despite the record-breaking representation, PSG have reportedly decided against publicly backing one particular player for the prestigious individual award.
According to L’Equipe, neither the club nor head coach Luis Enrique wants to campaign for a specific candidate, with PSG determined to avoid creating divisions within a group that has enjoyed collective success.
Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Fabián Ruiz are among the PSG players in contention, while the club’s wider representation also includes Vitinha, Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi.
The decision not to favour one player comes despite the enormous attention surrounding the Ballon d’Or race, particularly after PSG’s outstanding season on the European and domestic stages.
Softfootball reported earlier that the official 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or had been confirmed, with some of the biggest names in world football included among the contenders.
The final race is expected to attract huge global attention, with several nominees enjoying outstanding seasons for both club and country.
Dembélé, who is himself among the nominees, has already revealed his personal top three choices for the award. The PSG forward named teammates Kvaratskhelia and former PSG star Kylian Mbappé alongside Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane as his preferred candidates.
PSG’s extraordinary representation reflects the success enjoyed by the French champions, who have established themselves as one of the dominant forces in European football.
Kvaratskhelia’s inclusion is particularly notable following his influential performances, while Vitinha, Nuno Mendes and Hakimi have also earned recognition for their contributions throughout the campaign.
Elsewhere, Barcelona have three players on the shortlist, with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal joined by Pau Cubarsí and Ferran Torres.
Lionel Messi has also received another Ballon d’Or nomination despite continuing his career outside European football, highlighting the enduring influence of the Argentine superstar.
The Premier League is strongly represented as well, with Jude Bellingham, William Saliba, Erling Haaland, Bruno Fernandes and Declan Rice among the nominees.
However, with PSG providing a record 10 candidates, the French club faces an unusual situation. Rather than choosing one player to publicly support, the club and Luis Enrique have opted to allow the nominees to compete on their individual merits.
The approach ensures that PSG’s historic achievement remains a collective celebration, with the club refusing to turn its unprecedented Ballon d’Or representation into a public campaign for one of its own stars.
