Mexican soccer players Quiñones and Camberos earn historic Ballon d'Or nominations
Two Mexican soccer stars achieved historic milestones on Tuesday when they were nominated for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, with striker Julián Quiñones earning recognition among the men's nominees and forward Scarlett Camberos becoming the first Mexican woman ever to be considered for the sport's most prestigious individual award.
The announcement marks a significant moment for Mexican soccer. Quiñones is only the second Mexican man to receive a Ballon d'Or nomination, joining goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa who was nominated in 2007. Meanwhile, Camberos's Club América teammates will compete for the Women's Club of the Year trophy alongside European powerhouses Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Quiñones's path to recognition
The Colombian-born forward earned his nomination through exceptional performances across multiple competitions during the 2025-26 season. After leading the Saudi Pro League in scoring with 33 goals — finishing five ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo's 28 for Al-Nassr — Quiñones carried his form into the 2026 World Cup, the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams.
At the World Cup, the 29-year-old struck the tournament's opening goal and added three more throughout Mexico's campaign. His four goals tie him atop Mexico's all-time World Cup scoring list. Tournament organizers FIFA ranked him among the top 10 players of the competition, even as Mexico fell 3-2 to England in the Round of 16, with Quiñones scoring once in that elimination match.
Quiñones joins an elite list of 30 nominees that includes global superstars Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Lamine Yamal and defending champion Ousmane Dembélé. His nomination comes 19 years after Ochoa's historic selection in 2007, when the goalkeeper received one point in the voting and finished in 30th place alongside players including Samuel Eto'o, Ryan Giggs and Carlos Tévez. Brazilian Kaká claimed that year's award.
The 2007 edition marked a turning point for the Ballon d'Or, as it was the first year players from clubs outside UEFA were eligible for nomination, with the voting pool expanded to include journalists from beyond UEFA countries. This reform opened the door for Mexican players to compete for the honor.
Camberos breaks new ground
At 25 years old, Camberos delivered a remarkable season for Club América, recording 27 goals and 7 assists while leading the team to three championships. The Lady Águilas captured the Clausura 2026 Liga MX Femenil title, won the Campeón de Campeones trophy for a second consecutive season, and lifted the Concacaf Women's Champions Cup, with Camberos named Best Player of the regional tournament.
Her nomination represents a milestone not only for Mexican women's soccer but also for Liga MX Femenil, which was founded in December 2016 with backing from all Liga MX clubs and the Mexican Football Federation to professionalize women's football in the country. The league launched its inaugural season in 2017 with 16 teams and will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year.
Award details
The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place on October 26 at the London Palladium Theatre, marking the first time the event has been held in London. The location choice commemorates the award's 70th anniversary and pays tribute to Stanley Matthews, who received the inaugural Ballon d'Or in 1956.
Since 2024, the award has been co-organized by France Football and UEFA, marking a partnership shift for the prestigious honor. Nominees were evaluated based on their performances between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026, a period that encompassed the 2026 FIFA World Cup held from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
