Summary
The conclusion of the 2026 World Cup has provided a much clearer picture of the race for this year’s Ballon d’Or, with football’s most prestigious individual award set to be presented in London on October 26.
Spain’s victory over Argentina in the World Cup Final at the New York New Jersey Stadium has reshaped the rankings. While Lionel Messi, now 39, enjoyed an outstanding tournament overall, he was unable to influence the final as Spain secured the title.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain also has several strong Ballon d’Or contenders after capturing last season’s Champions League title by defeating Arsenal, who themselves ended a long wait for domestic success by winning the Premier League for the first time since 2004.
Unlike previous editions, where the Ballon d’Or was judged over the calendar year, this marks the fourth time in the award’s history that voting is based on performances across the entire season.
Taking both club and international performances into account, here are the leading candidates for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, ranked according to individual form, major achievements, and their impact throughout the 2025/26 campaign.
Ballon d’Or 2026 Ranking Criteria
The rankings are based on several key factors, including:
- Goals scored
- Assists provided
- Clean sheets (for defensive players)
- Trophies won or seriously contested
- Defining moments during the 2025/26 season, including the 2026 World Cup
- Overall consistency and form
10. Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland added more silverware to his collection after helping Manchester City defeat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup Final before overcoming Chelsea in the FA Cup Final, where he also contributed an assist. He later scored the winning goal against Arsenal on April 19, although that result ultimately had little influence on the Premier League title race.
The striker also enjoyed a memorable first World Cup with Norway.
He scored twice in a 4-1 victory over Iraq before adding another brace against Senegal. Haaland then found the winner against Ivory Coast in the Round of 32 and struck twice more in an outstanding performance against Brazil in the Round of 16.
Although Norway’s journey ended with a 2-1 defeat to England in the quarter-finals, Haaland emerged as one of the tournament’s breakout stars, significantly enhancing his global reputation. Even so, lifting the Ballon d’Or this year still appears unlikely.
9. Declan Rice
There are few midfielders in world football who combine defensive authority, leadership, and set-piece quality as effectively as Declan Rice.
Since completing his £100 million move from West Ham to Arsenal in 2023, the England international has fully justified the transfer fee by playing a central role in Arsenal’s first Premier League title since 2004.
Rice hoped to crown that achievement with World Cup success, but England’s campaign ended in disappointment after losing to Argentina in the semi-finals.
He did, however, contribute a goal and an assist during England’s 6-4 victory over France in the third-place playoff, although finishing third offered little comfort for a player with Rice’s competitive mindset.
8. Jude Bellingham
Despite Real Madrid finishing the 2025/26 season without a trophy, Jude Bellingham strengthened his Ballon d’Or credentials through his performances for England at the World Cup.
His inspirational display in England’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico in the Round of 16 helped propel him into the Ballon d’Or top 10.
Although England ultimately fell to Argentina in the semi-finals, Bellingham enjoyed an outstanding tournament, scoring seven goals and providing one assist.
No English player has ever scored more goals during a single World Cup campaign.
7. Michael Olise
Michael Olise has climbed the rankings thanks to an exceptional campaign with Bayern Munich.
Although Bayern fell short in the Champions League, Olise established himself as one of Europe’s elite creators by registering an extraordinary 31 assists during the season.
He carried that form into international football by scoring a hat-trick against Northern Ireland in France’s final warm-up match before producing five assists during the World Cup.
Despite finishing with a tournament-leading eight assists, France’s defeat to Spain in the semi-finals significantly damaged his Ballon d’Or hopes.
6. Kylian Mbappe
Many believe it’s only a matter of time before Kylian Mbappe finally wins the Ballon d’Or.
Following his move to Real Madrid, the French forward needed time to settle before rediscovering his best form. After winning last season’s European Golden Shoe with 31 La Liga goals, he has taken another step forward by scoring 42 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions.
Although Real Madrid endured a rare trophyless campaign, Mbappe had an opportunity to become the Ballon d’Or favorite during the World Cup.
After scoring eight goals before the semi-finals, expectations were high. However, France’s 2-0 defeat to Spain effectively ended those hopes.
He still finished the tournament with 10 goals after scoring twice against England in the third-place match.
5. Ousmane Dembele
Can Ousmane Dembele become the first player since Lionel Messi in 2021 to successfully defend the Ballon d’Or?
Despite missing a significant portion of the first half of the season through injury, Dembele returned in outstanding form.
His spectacular chipped goal against Lille quickly became an early favorite for the 2026 Puskas Award, while his two-goal performance against Marseille helped push him back into Ballon d’Or contention.
The French winger further strengthened his case by helping Paris Saint-Germain retain the Champions League, becoming the first player ever to score in every knockout round during a victorious campaign.
France’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain may ultimately prove decisive, despite Dembele finishing the tournament with six goals and two assists.
4. Rodri
Rodri returned to his very best during the World Cup after an inconsistent club season with Manchester City.
The midfielder played a vital role in Spain’s dominant performances throughout the knockout stages and was rewarded with the tournament’s Golden Ball, finishing ahead of both Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
That achievement has dramatically boosted his Ballon d’Or prospects.
However, relatively modest performances at club level compared to some of his rivals could still affect his chances of winning the award.
3. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi entered the Ballon d’Or top 10 after opening Argentina’s World Cup campaign with a stunning hat-trick against Algeria.
Although questions surrounded whether the Inter Miami captain could still dominate football’s biggest stage at the age of 39, he answered them emphatically.
Messi produced another remarkable World Cup, scoring eight goals and providing four assists before Argentina’s heartbreaking defeat in the final.
His quiet performance against Spain will likely deny him what would have been a record-extending ninth Ballon d’Or.
Even so, a place on the final podium remains a realistic possibility after another unforgettable tournament.
2. Harry Kane
Harry Kane continues to redefine the modern striker.
Beyond his prolific goalscoring record, the England captain contributes creatively and frequently drops into deeper positions to influence play.
Since becoming England’s all-time leading goalscorer and climbing to second in the Premier League’s all-time scoring charts during his time at Tottenham, Kane has also enjoyed tremendous success with Bayern Munich, winning consecutive Bundesliga titles.
His 2025/26 season was exceptional, producing 61 goals and seven assists in 51 matches while helping Bayern secure both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal.
Kane also impressed at the World Cup, scoring twice against Croatia, adding another goal versus Panama, netting a brace against DR Congo, and converting a crucial penalty against Mexico.
However, England’s elimination in the semi-finals may ultimately prevent him from becoming England’s first Ballon d’Or winner since Michael Owen in 2001.
1. Lamine Yamal
No teenager has ever won the Ballon d’Or, but Lamine Yamal has an extraordinary opportunity to make history.
Already established as one of football’s brightest stars after helping Barcelona and Spain achieve remarkable success at an incredibly young age, Yamal has consistently demonstrated maturity beyond his years.
Although Barcelona’s Champions League exit slightly weakened his Ballon d’Or campaign, he still added another La Liga title before leading Spain’s charge at the World Cup.
Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final may ultimately prove decisive.
While Yamal neither scored nor assisted in the showpiece event, his overall influence throughout the match was immense, and Spain’s success owed much to the impact of their teenage superstar.
Following Spain’s World Cup triumph, Yamal now appears to be the leading favorite to lift the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
Ballon d’Or Power Rankings: Full Top 20
The final Ballon d’Or Power Rankings reflect a season shaped by domestic titles, European success, and the defining moments of the 2026 World Cup. With voting now based on an entire season rather than a calendar year, every major performance has carried significant weight, setting the stage for one of the most competitive Ballon d’Or races in recent memory.