Saliba and Mane Place Joint-29th in Ballon d'Or
The players shared the 29th position out of a 30-man shortlist for the prestigious annual award.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Soccer
William Saliba and Sadio Mane concluded their year in a tie for 29th place in the final Ballon d'Or voting. Both players were recognized after being selected for the competitive 30-man shortlist.
Why it matters
The ranking reflects the global recognition of players for their individual performances alongside their contributions to their respective teams.
William Saliba and Sadio Mane shared the 29th spot in the annual rankings. The list is finalized from a narrow 30-man shortlist of the top-performing players in world football.
The players
William Saliba
He is a professional soccer player recognized for his defensive contributions at both the club and international levels.
Sadio Mane
He is an internationally acclaimed forward known for his high-profile career in major professional soccer leagues.
The details
William Saliba earned his nomination for his contributions to his Premier League-winning side and his role with the World Cup finalists. The award represents one of the highest individual honors in the sport.
Timeline
William Saliba received his 29th place Ballon d'Or ranking in 2026.
The Big Picture
This ranking follows the annual pattern set by the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony. The recognition marks the culmination of the selection process for the world's most prominent individual soccer honor.
The joint finish highlights the narrow margins between the final nominees on the shortlist. These rankings serve as a statistical benchmark for assessing player performance and seasonal impact.
The takeaway
Individual accolades like the Ballon d'Or underscore the intense competition among the world's elite soccer players. Fans and analysts use these final rankings to evaluate the relative standing of players throughout the professional season.
Further reading
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