Premier League Stars Shine as 2026 Ballon d'Or Nominees Announced
Premier League Players Among 2026 Ballon d'Or Nominees
London [UK], October 21: Players from the Premier League have made a significant impact as nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, with Opta statistics showcasing exceptional performances throughout the 2025/26 season.
Bruno Fernandes, the captain of Manchester United, achieved a remarkable 22 assists in the Premier League this season, setting a new record for the competition. Additionally, he created 142 chances, the highest of any player in Europe's top five leagues, according to the Opta 2025/26 season data.
Erling Haaland, the striker for Manchester City, reached the impressive milestone of 100 Premier League goals by December 2025, accomplishing this feat in just 111 matches. He netted 38 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions during the 2025/26 season.
Defender Gabriel Magalhães from Arsenal recorded 17 clean sheets in the Premier League, leading all defenders in the league. He also achieved a total of 24 clean sheets across all competitions for the Gunners.
His teammate, William Saliba, completed an impressive 67 passes per 90 minutes in the Premier League, the highest rate among Arsenal players this season. Arsenal won 71% of the matches he played in, compared to 57% when he was absent.
Midfielder Declan Rice contributed significantly with five goals and nine assists across all competitions during the 2025/26 season, creating 96 chances—the most by any English player in Europe's top five leagues.
Other nominees include Rodri, whose statistics reflect his contributions at Manchester City, and Marc Cucurella, who showcased his skills while playing for Chelsea. Their nominations highlight the influence of Premier League players in this year's awards.
The statistics illustrate a diverse range of performances recognized among the nominees, from Fernandes' record-setting creativity and Haaland's goal-scoring achievements to the defensive reliability of Arsenal's back line and Rice's midfield prowess.