Mexico had so many memorable moments as co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup and one of their most dynamic players has made the short list for soccer’s most prestigious awards.
Julián Quiñones has earned a spot on the 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist, making him only the second Mexican player in history to be nominated for the award. Recently retired goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was the first, earning a nomination in 2007.
The 29-year-old forward, who plays for both the Mexico national team and Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah, put together a season that combined individual scoring records with a standout World Cup run.
Quiñones closed out the 2025 Saudi Pro League season with 33 goals in 31 appearances, winning the league’s Golden Boot ahead of Ivan Toney and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
He carried that form into the World Cup, where Mexico served as one of three co-host nations. In the tournament opener against South Africa, Quiñones scored Mexico’s first goal of the tournament, becoming the first player from a CONCACAF nation to score the opening goal of a World Cup.
Julian Quinones celebrates during Mexico’s 2026 World Cup run, in which he scored four goals and added an assist — tying the record for goals by a Mexican player at a single World Cup. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Quinones went on to score three more goals and add an assist as Mexico advanced to the round of 16, where the team was eliminated by England. England went on to finish third after an appearance in the semifinals.
Mexico also managed to end a 40-year drought in knockout stage matches with a round of 32 win over Ecuador. With four goals at the tournament, Quiñones joins Luis Hernandez and Javier Hernandez as the only Mexican players to score four goals at a single World Cup, tying the national record.
Quiñones switched his international allegiance from his native Colombia to Mexico in 2023.
Before moving to Saudi Arabia, he spent nearly a decade in Liga MX with Tigres UANL, Venados, Lobos BUAP, Atlas and Club América, appearing in 258 matches, scoring 94 goals and winning nine LIGA MX titles, including back-to-back championships with Atlas in 2021 and 2022 that ended a 70-year title drought for the club.
The Ballon d’Or winner will be announced on Monday, October 26, 2026. The ceremony will be held at the London Palladium in England, the first time the event has taken place there.
