‘I’ve worked hard for this moment’ - Quinones revels in Ballon d’Or recognition

From Roshn Saudi League golden boot winner to FIFA World Cup history-maker - and now Ballon d’Or nominee.

Julian Quinones’ remarkable rise has reached another significant milestone after the Al Qadsiah and Mexico star was named among the 30 players in contention for football’s most prestigious individual prize.

And, having climbed his way to the very top of the game, the 29-year-old was delighted to see those efforts recognised.

“I’m very proud to have achieved this,” Quinones said after scoring in Al Qadsiah’s 3-2 victory against Al Ahli on Tuesday night. “I’ve worked hard for this moment and now it has happened.

“God’s timing is always perfect. I just try to keep working hard, improving and being the best I can be.”

It represents the latest landmark in an extraordinary 2026 for Quinones, whose performances for club and country have propelled him onto the global stage.

Last season, the Al Qadsiah forward produced the most prolific campaign of his career, scoring 33 times to finish as the RSL’s leading marksman.

A final-day hat-trick ultimately secured the golden boot, taking Quinones clear of Al Ahli striker Ivan Toney and underlining his status as one of the Saudi top flight’s outstanding performers.

If that established him as a true star of the RSL, what followed ensured an even wider audience took notice.

Quinones carried his superb form into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he scored the tournament’s opening goal on home soil for Mexico.

He would finish the global finals with four goals as the co-hosts reached the last 16, capping a memorable summer for the Al Qadsiah No.33.

Now his achievements have been acknowledged with a place alongside some of world football’s biggest names on the Ballon d’Or shortlist.

His manager at Al Qadsiah, Brendan Rodgers, believes the nomination is testament to Quinones’ achievements, while also highlighting the role the RSL has played in his continued rise. 

“Firstly, it's absolutely amazing for Julian,” Rodgers said. “It recognises the impact he has had in the Saudi Pro League and the confidence that he takes from playing here into his international team.

“It’s a huge credit for everyone: for him, for his teammates here and for the club as a whole. And, of course, it’s great recognition for the Pro League. So, it's good for everyone.”

Quinones is joined on the 30-man shortlist by fellow RSL star Sadio Mane, fresh from helping Al Nassr lift the 2025-26 title.

The RSL pair find themselves in illustrious company, with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham also nominated.

The winner of the 2026 Ballon d’Or will be revealed in London on October 26.

For Quinones, though, simply taking his place among the world’s elite already represents another remarkable achievement in a journey that continues to gather momentum.