Ballon d’Or: Bruno Fernandes ranks 27th despite record 21 assists

Abdullateef Fowewe

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes finished 27th in the 2026 Ballon d’Or rankings, sparking debate among fans after a standout individual campaign.

Fernandes was named Premier League Player of the Season for 2025-26 and set a new single-season assists record with 21, surpassing the previous mark of 20 jointly held by Thierry Henry (2002-03) and Kevin De Bruyne (2019-20).

He also collected other major individual honours, including recognition from the Football Writers’ Association.

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony took place on 26 October at the London Palladium, the first time the event was held outside France.

It covered the period from August 2025 to July 2026 and marked the award’s 70th anniversary.

Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain was named the winner, followed by Lamine Yamal and Vitinha.

Fernandes’ lower ranking has been widely attributed to Manchester United’s underwhelming team results that season, even as he carried much of the creative burden.

Ballon d’Or voting by journalists has long favoured players from successful clubs or those with strong showings in major tournaments.