Kylian Mbappe is making a STRONG case to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or already 🔥🏆

It doesn’t feel long ago that fans were celebrating Ousmane Dembélé’s stunning 2025 Ballon d’Or triumph, but football never sleeps. As the new season unfolds, attention has already shifted to the next big question: who will lift the 2026 Ballon d’Or? With a World Cup on the horizon and major European giants hitting top form, the race is wide open.

Could Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo make one last fairytale run at football’s biggest individual honour? In a World Cup year, anything is possible. Still, the safer bets sit with elite talents leading the charge for contenders like Real Madrid, Liverpool, PSG, Bayern Munich, and Arsenal—clubs that traditionally dominate both domestic titles and Champions League campaigns.

Unlike in past eras, the Ballon d’Or is now awarded based on seasonal performance, not the calendar year. With that in mind, here are the top 20 players most likely to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, judged on goals, assists, clean sheets, trophies, clutch moments, and overall form.

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Top 10 Candidates

10. Vitinha – PSG & Portugal

Thomas Frank wasn’t exaggerating when he called Vitinha “the best midfielder in the world” after the Portuguese star dismantled Tottenham with a hat-trick in the Champions League. Finishing third in the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Vitinha is now one of the most influential midfielders on the planet. His chances in 2026 may hinge heavily on Portugal’s World Cup run.

2025/26 Stats:

Games: 19 • Goals: 5 • Assists: 8

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9. Cristiano Ronaldo – Al-Nassr & Portugal

At 41, Ronaldo is still rewriting what’s possible in football. If Portugal win their first World Cup next summer, he could become the oldest Ballon d’Or winner ever. His finishing instincts and unmatched mentality remain elite, proving age is just a number.

2025/26 Stats:

Games: 12 • Goals: 11 • Assists: 2

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8. Luis Díaz – Bayern Munich & Colombia

Liverpool may regret letting Luis Díaz go. Bayern Munich certainly don’t. The Colombian winger has exploded in Germany with goals, assists, and match-winning performances, especially in Europe. His one disadvantage? Colombia aren’t World Cup favourites.

2025/26 Stats:

Games: 19 • Goals: 12 • Assists: 6

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7. Lionel Messi – Inter Miami & Argentina

Could Messi really secure a record-breaking ninth Ballon d’Or? If Argentina retain the World Cup, it becomes a genuine possibility. Even at 38, Messi’s creativity and influence remain extraordinary, both for club and country.

2025 Stats:

Games: 41 • Goals: 38 • Assists: 23

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6. Declan Rice – Arsenal & England

Rice has transformed Arsenal’s midfield, showing why the club paid £100m. If he leads Arsenal to a Premier League title and England to a deep World Cup run, don’t be shocked to see him on the podium.

2025/26 Stats:

Games: 20 • Goals: 2 • Assists: 6

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5. Pedri – Barcelona & Spain

Seen as the natural heir to Andrés Iniesta, Pedri continues to dazzle with his intelligence, ball control, and maturity. At just 23, he is already carrying Barcelona’s midfield and remains one of Spain’s biggest hopes for 2026.

2025/26 Stats:

Games: 15 • Goals: 2 • Assists: 3

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4. Lamine Yamal – Barcelona & Spain

A teenage Ballon d’Or winner has never existed—yet Lamine Yamal is on track to change history. With elite numbers, maturity far beyond his age, and comparisons to Messi’s early years, he is a genuine contender.

2025/26 Stats:

Games: 15 • Goals: 7 • Assists: 9

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3. Erling Haaland – Manchester City & Norway

After a quieter period by his own incredible standards, Haaland has exploded again this season. His goal-scoring pace is frightening, and City look ready to challenge for major titles. Few players alive can dominate a season the way Haaland can.

2025/26 Stats:

Games: 19 • Goals: 20 • Assists: 3

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2. Harry Kane – Bayern Munich & England

A goalscorer, playmaker, and leader—Kane does it all. His move to Bayern has been a massive success, and he’s producing one of the best seasons of his career. With a World Cup or Champions League, he could become the first English winner since 2001.

2025/26 Stats:

Games: 20 • Goals: 24 • Assists: 3

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1. Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid & France

Mbappé has long been expected to lift the Ballon d’Or, and 2026 may finally be his moment. After adjusting to life at Real Madrid, he’s now scoring relentlessly and remains France’s biggest weapon heading into the World Cup.

2025/26 Stats:

Games: 19 • Goals: 23 • Assists: 3

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Ballon d’Or Power Rankings: Top 20 (Full List)

Rank Player Club Country Position

1 Kylian Mbappé Real Madrid France Forward

2 Harry Kane Bayern Munich England Forward

3 Erling Haaland Man City Norway Forward

4 Lamine Yamal Barcelona Spain Forward

5 Pedri Barcelona Spain Midfielder

6 Declan Rice Arsenal England Midfielder

7 Lionel Messi Inter Miami Argentina Forward

8 Luis Díaz Bayern Munich Colombia Forward

9 Cristiano Ronaldo Al-Nassr Portugal Forward

10 Vitinha PSG Portugal Midfielder

11 Michael Olise Bayern Munich France Forward

12 Vinicius Jr Real Madrid Brazil Forward

13 Ousmane Dembélé PSG France Forward

14 Jude Bellingham Real Madrid England Midfielder

15 João Neves PSG Portugal Midfielder

16 Raphinha Barcelona Brazil Forward

17 Moisés Caicedo Chelsea Ecuador Midfielder

18 Bukayo Saka Arsenal England Forward

19 Lautaro Martínez Inter Milan Argentina Forward

20 Mohamed Salah Liverpool Egypt Forward

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