Ballon d'Or 2026: The top 10 favorites after the World Cup

Spain's world title shakes up the hierarchy, but the suspense remains high among several contenders

World 24 July 2026 at 07:30

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Ballon d'Or 2026: The top 10 favorites after the World Cup

A few days after Spain's triumph, individual performances, team trophies, and World Cup heroics allow us to draw up an early pecking order.

The 2025-2026 season has now come to an end, and the race for the 2026 Ballon d'Or enters its final stretch. Since the official list of nominees has not yet been unveiled, this ranking remains editorial. It is based on statistics, trophies won, and the impact made during the World Cup.

The provisional top 10

1. Lamine Yamal – Spain and FC Barcelona
With 22 goals and 21 assists, the prodigy clinched La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup, and most importantly, the World Cup. This track record puts him just ahead of his rivals.

2. Harry Kane – England and Bayern Munich
With 73 goals, three domestic trophies, and six goals at the World Cup, the Englishman undoubtedly boasts the strongest statistical case.

3. Rodri – Spain and Manchester City
His club season was disrupted, but his World Cup title and his player of the tournament award have catapulted his candidacy back into the spotlight.

4. Lionel Messi – Argentina and Inter Miami
Winner of the MLS Cup, the Argentine racked up 44 goals and 30 assists. His eight goals and four assists at the World Cup led the Albiceleste to the final.

5. Kylian Mbappé – France and Real Madrid
Despite a trophyless year with his club, his 58 goals and the World Cup Golden Boot, thanks to ten goals scored, keep the Frenchman firmly in the race.

6. Michael Olise – France and Bayern Munich
His 24 goals, 38 assists, and seven assists at the World Cup make for an exceptional tally, further bolstered by three trophies in Germany.

7. Ousmane Dembélé – France and PSG
The reigning Ballon d'Or holder secured the Champions League and Ligue 1, with 25 goals, 14 assists, and six goals at the World Cup.

8. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Georgia and PSG
Absent from the World Cup, the Georgian pays the price for his national team's failure, but his influence in PSG's latest European triumph remains significant.

9. Erling Haaland – Norway and Manchester City
With 58 club goals and seven at the World Cup, the Norwegian also led his country to the quarter-finals.

10. Pau Cubarsí – Spain and FC Barcelona
Spanish champion, world champion, and best young player of the tournament, the defender stands out as one of the year's biggest revelations.

The main battle is likely to be between Yamal, Kane, and Rodri. The first has the trophies, the second the numbers, and the third the most prestigious individual award of the World Cup.