The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or is heating up, with the winner set to be announced in October.
With the shortlist already revealed, several of the world’s biggest stars are competing for the prestigious individual award after standout campaigns for club and country.
Here are the top 10 contenders ranked ahead of the ceremony.
1. Harry Kane – Bayern Munich and England
Harry Kane heads the power rankings after producing the best season of his career so far.
The England captain scored 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern Munich last season while also contributing significantly to the team’s build-up play and chance creation.
Although England eventually fell short at the World Cup, Kane was instrumental in their run and remains a strong favourite to win his first Ballon d’Or.
2. Rodri – Barcelona and Spain
Rodri has another strong case for the award after playing a central role in Spain’s World Cup triumph.
The midfielder was the heartbeat of Spain’s dominant side and showed why he remains one of the most influential players in world football.
His case, however, is weakened by Manchester City’s failure to win the Premier League during his final season at the club, although they did lift domestic cups.
3. Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid and France
Kylian Mbappé continues to make a strong case for his first Ballon d’Or.
The French forward scored 40 goals in 42 appearances across La Liga and the Champions League during his second season in Spain.
He was also one of the standout players at the World Cup, winning the Golden Boot.
However, Real Madrid’s lack of major team success could hurt his chances despite his individual numbers.
4. Lamine Yamal – Barcelona and Spain
At just 19, Lamine Yamal is already among the leading contenders for the biggest individual prize in football.
The Barcelona winger recorded 41 goal contributions in 45 appearances during the season.
His World Cup campaign was affected by injuries, limiting his influence as Spain went on to win the tournament.
Nevertheless, his consistency for Barcelona and remarkable output at such a young age make him one of the strongest candidates.
5. Lionel Messi – Inter Miami and Argentina
Lionel Messi remains in contention for what would be a record ninth Ballon d’Or.
The Argentina captain was central to his country’s World Cup campaign but could not lead them to another title.
At club level, he helped Inter Miami win the MLS title.
However, playing outside Europe and Argentina’s disappointing finish at the World Cup could work against the 39-year-old.
6. Michael Olise – Bayern Munich and France
Michael Olise enjoyed a breakthrough campaign and established himself as one of Bayern Munich’s most exciting attacking players.
The France international excelled as a creator, particularly in transition and around the final third.
He also finished the World Cup with the most assists after producing two in France’s third-place match.
His performances have elevated him into the conversation among the world’s elite players.
7. Erling Haaland – Manchester City and Norway
Erling Haaland remains one of the most prolific strikers in world football.
Despite Manchester City’s struggles towards the end of the season, the Norwegian continued to add to his impressive scoring record.
He also made his mark at the World Cup after Norway returned to the tournament, scoring seven goals to finish among the competition’s leading scorers.
8. Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid and England
Jude Bellingham remains firmly in the Ballon d’Or conversation despite a less productive season statistically for Real Madrid.
The England midfielder continued to show his ability to perform in important matches and formed an effective partnership with Kane during the World Cup.
His goals and assists dropped during his third season in Madrid, but his performances for England helped maintain his place among the world’s best.
9. Ousmane Dembélé – Paris Saint-Germain and France
Ousmane Dembélé may not attract as much attention as some of his fellow nominees, but he remains a dangerous attacking player for both club and country.
His numbers dipped compared with his previous campaign, with 20 goals in 40 appearances for PSG compared with 35 in 53 matches the previous season.
However, his partnership with Mbappé and Olise helped make France one of the most dangerous attacking sides at the World Cup.
10. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Paris Saint-Germain and Georgia
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia rounds out the top 10.
The Georgian winger was particularly impressive during the Champions League knockout stages, producing some of his best performances at the highest level.
His limited playing time
Vanguard News
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