In the Saudi coastal city of Khobar, Julián Quiñones has turned a prolific season with Al-Qadsiah into a place among football’s most recognised individual names. The 29-year-old Mexico forward has finished 28th in the 2026 Ballon d’Or standings, securing a position in the final top 30 after a campaign defined by goals in Saudi Arabia and a visible World Cup contribution.
Quiñones led the Saudi league scoring chart in 2025-26 with 33 goals from 31 appearances for Al-Qadsiah. That return made him one of the competition’s most decisive attackers and supplied the central case for his inclusion alongside leading figures from Europe and the wider international game.
His profile also rose on the World Cup stage. Across five matches at the 2026 tournament, he produced four goals and one assist for Mexico, adding international weight to the domestic numbers he had accumulated in the Gulf.
A Mexican presence among the final 30
The ranking makes Quiñones one of Mexico’s representatives in this year’s Ballon d’Or field. It is the first time since Guillermo Ochoa that a Mexican player has featured among the award’s final 30 contenders.
Before moving to Al-Qadsiah, Quiñones built much of his professional career in Mexico, winning Liga MX titles during spells with Tigres, Atlas and América. His move to Saudi football has given that journey another dimension, with his finishing in the league now reflected in a 28th-place Ballon d’Or finish. The detailed voting totals have yet to be released.
