Quiñones becomes only second Mexican nominated for Ballon d'Or after record World Cup

Julián Quiñones has been nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, becoming only the second Mexican player in history to appear on the shortlist. The Al-Qadsiah forward joins recently retired goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who earned the distinction back in 2007, in a list that spans nearly two decades of Mexican football history.

The 29-year-old’s nomination is built on a remarkable double run of form. He closed out the 2025 Saudi Pro League season with 33 goals in 31 appearances, claiming the Golden Boot ahead of Ivan Toney and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

Quiñones carried that momentum directly into the 2026 World Cup, where Mexico served as one of three co-host nations. He opened the tournament by scoring his country’s first goal against South Africa — the first player from a CONCACAF nation to score the opening goal of a World Cup. He added three more goals and an assist as Mexico advanced to the round of 16, where they were eliminated by England. The four-goal haul ties the national record set by Luis Hernández and Javier Hernández, making Quiñones only the third Mexican player to reach that mark at a single tournament. Mexico also ended a 40-year wait for a knockout-stage victory, defeating Ecuador in the round of 32.

Born in Colombia, Quiñones switched his international allegiance to Mexico in 2023. Before his move to Saudi Arabia, he spent nearly a decade in Liga MX with Tigres UANL, Venados, Lobos BUAP, Atlas, and Club América — making 258 appearances, scoring 94 goals, and winning nine Liga MX titles. Among those were back-to-back championships with Atlas in 2021 and 2022 that ended a 70-year title drought for the Guadalajara club.

The Ballon d’Or winner will be announced on 26 October 2026 at the London Palladium — the first time the ceremony has been held in England.