Al Qadsiah's Quiñones Earns Ballon d'Or Nomination

Al Qadsiah forward Julian Quiñones has capped a remarkable year, earning a place on the 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d'Or in September 2026, months after claiming the Roshn Saudi League Golden Boot.

Quiñones finished the 2025–26 Roshn Saudi League season as the competition's top scorer with 33 goals across 31 appearances, edging out Ivan Toney to secure the Golden Boot. He sealed the milestone in dramatic fashion, netting a hat-trick against Al Ittihad on the final matchday to reach his 33-goal tally.

His prolific campaign also earned him recognition off the pitch, as he was voted Fans' Player of the Season, reflecting his popularity among supporters throughout the year.

The forward carried his form onto the global stage in summer 2026, scoring four goals for Mexico at the FIFA World Cup and emerging as one of the team's standout performers. That run helped push his name onto the Ballon d'Or shortlist, making him one of the few Mexican players ever nominated for football's most prestigious individual award.

Quiñones has entered the 2026–27 Roshn Saudi League season as the reigning Golden Boot holder and remains a leading candidate in the current top-scorers race. For fans across the Kingdom, his rise underlines the growing profile of the Saudi league, where standout performances are increasingly drawing worldwide attention and global honours.

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