Lautaro Martínez Places 22nd in Ballon d'Or Rankings
The Argentine forward finished 22nd in the 70th edition of the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Soccer
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Lautaro Martínez secured 22nd place in the 2026 Ballon d'Or rankings, marking his fifth career nomination for the award. He was the only Serie A player featured on the 30-man shortlist.
Why it matters
The ranking reflects his individual performance during the 2025-26 season, during which he tallied 17 goals in 30 Serie A appearances and three goals in the World Cup.
Martínez earned his 22nd place ranking out of 30 nominees during the 70th edition of the Ballon d'Or. This result follows a season where he recorded 17 goals in 30 Serie A appearances and added three World Cup goals.
The players
Lautaro Martínez
He is an Argentine professional footballer who currently plays as a forward and is the only Serie A player to be shortlisted for the 2026 Ballon d'Or.
Inter
This is an Italian professional football club that employs Lautaro Martínez and was recently eliminated from the Champions League by Bodø/Glimt.
The details
This nomination represents the fifth time Martínez has been recognized for the honor. His current ranking follows a career-best finish of seventh in 2024 and a 20th-place result in 2025.
Timeline
In 2024, Lautaro Martínez finished seventh in the Ballon d'Or.
In 2025, Lautaro Martínez finished 20th in the Ballon d'Or.
Lautaro Martínez sustained a hamstring strain in October 2026.
The 2026 Ballon d'Or rankings were announced and the ceremony held on October 26, 2026.
Lautaro Martínez is expected to return from injury in November 2026.
Season Trajectory
This ranking marks a decline for Martínez compared to his previous two years, where he consistently placed in the top 20 of the Ballon d'Or. His current status is complicated by a recent hamstring strain that has sidelined the Inter forward.
Fantasy managers and observers should note Martínez's current injury status, as he is expected to remain sidelined until November. His 22nd-place finish marks his lowest standing in the Ballon d'Or rankings since 2024.
The takeaway
Even with a lower ranking than previous years, reaching the top 30 remains a significant acknowledgment of individual performance at the highest level of world soccer. Recovery from physical injury will be the immediate focus for the athlete before the next competitive cycle.
What happens next
Lautaro Martínez is expected to return to professional play from his hamstring strain in November 2026.
Further reading
For more updates on professional football, explore our Soccer section.
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