The Portuguese footballers Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, João Neves and Bruno Fernandes are among the nominees for the Ballon d'Or of the 2025/26 season. The first three represent Paris Saint-Germain, while Bruno Fernandes plays for Manchester United.
The Ballon d'Or is a trophy awarded by France Football magazine, which distinguishes the best football players of each season. This year, the shortlist also includes Lionel Messi, an Argentine eight-time winner of the award.
The inclusion of the four Portuguese players on the list of candidates represents an important recognition of Portuguese football at the international level. Nuno Mendes, Vitinha and João Neves have stood out for their performance at the French club, while Bruno Fernandes continues to be a central figure at Manchester United.
The nomination of these players comes at a time when Portuguese football is going through a period of great international visibility, with several athletes representing top European clubs.
