'What an embarrassment': Arsenal fans react to William Saliba Ballon d'Or 2026 ranking reveal

Saliba finishes 29th in Ballon d'Or 2026 rankings, joint with Sadio Mané, disappointing Arsenal fans who feel he deserved higher recognition for his role in the club's Premier League title win.

William Saliba has been ranked 29th in the Ballon d'Or 2026 standings, finishing joint with Sadio Mané. The Arsenal defender was one of three Gunners players to make the 30-man shortlist, alongside Gabriel (21st) and Declan Rice (15th).

Saliba played a crucial role in Arsenal's first Premier League title in over 22 years and their first Champions League final since 2006, helping the club achieve 26 clean sheets last season. The Ballon d'Or website praised his "lethal combination of elegant and robust defending."

Despite his contributions to Arsenal's success, Saliba failed to crack the top 20, leading to frustration among supporters on social media who believe he should have ranked significantly higher. No Arsenal player finished in the top 10 of this year's Ballon d'Or.