Thursday, July 16th 2026
With the 2026 World Cup nearing completion, the race for the “Golden Ball” is entering the decisive phase. Performances at football’s biggest tournament are expected to have a major impact on determining the three names who will be on the podium.
Lionel Messi has surprisingly returned to the top of the favorites after leading Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup final. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal has the chance to become the youngest winner in history, while Harry Kane remains in contention thanks to an outstanding season with Bayern Munich.
Paris Saint-Germain also have some strong contenders after winning the Champions League for the second consecutive season. Arsenal, meanwhile, were crowned champions of England for the first time since 2004.
For the fourth time in the award’s history, voting will be based on performances during the season rather than the results of a calendar year. The ranking takes into account goals, assists, trophies, decisive moments and the overall form of the players.
1. Lionel Messi – Inter Miami and Argentina
Lionel Messi entered the top ten favorites for the first time this year after scoring a hat-trick in Argentina’s World Cup opener against Algeria.
Despite his excellent form with Inter Miami, there were doubts whether the Argentine veteran could continue to produce world-class performances on the biggest stage. Messi immediately rejected these questions.
At the age of 39, he leads the race for the “Golden Boot” and “Golden Ball” of the World Cup, with eight goals and four assists. His two crucial passes enabled Argentina’s dramatic upset of England in the semi-finals.
If Argentina defend the title, Messi would have a real chance to win the Ballon d’Or for the ninth time.
Stats with Inter Miami in 2026:
No teenager has won the Ballon d’Or before, but Lamine Yamal could change that. history.
The Barcelona star has carried a tremendous weight on his shoulders since the age of 15, while at the age of 16 he helped Spain to be crowned European champions.
Barcelona’s elimination from the Champions League hurt his chances somewhat, although the Catalans finished the season with the La Liga title. The World Cup, however, could prove decisive.
After a convincing victory over France in the semi-finals, Yamal and Spain are just one game away from the title. A decisive performance in the final could send the 19-year-old to the top of the race.
Barcelona stats in 2025/26:
Harry Kane produced an outstanding individual season, scoring 61 goals and providing seven assists in 51 games for Bayern Munich.
The England captain won the Bundesliga and the German Cup as he continued to show that he is much more than a scorer. Kane often drops into midfield to organize play and create space for team-mates.
He started the World Cup with two goals against Croatia, scored against Panama, scored twice against the Democratic Republic of Congo and took the decisive penalty against Mexico.
However, elimination by Argentina in the semi-finals could prevent him from becoming the first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001.
Statistics with Bayern Munich in the 2025/26 season:
4. Ousmane Dembélé – Paris Saint-Germain and France
Ousmane Dembélé aims to become the first player to defend the Ballon d’Or since Lionel Messi.
The Frenchman missed much of the first half of the season due to injury, but has returned to his best form in recent months.
The spectacular goal against Lille was immediately considered a candidate for the Puskás award, while he scored twice in PSG’s 5-0 win against Marseille.
Dembélé made history by becoming the first player to score in every round of an edition of the Champions League, which PSG won for the second time in a row.
However, France’s elimination by Spain in the semi-finals of the World Cup could cost them dearly in the vote.
PSG’s statistics in the season 2025/26:
5. Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid and France
For years, Kylian Mbappé has been seen as the successor to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of world football.
After an adjustment period at Real Madrid, the French striker exploded with 42 goals in 44 games during the 2025/26 season. The season before, he had won the European “Golden Boot” with 31 goals in 34 La Liga games.
Real Madrid ended the season without a trophy, but Mbappé had the chance to become the main favorite for the “Golden Ball” at the World Cup.
He scored eight goals until the semi-finals, but the 2-0 loss to Spain significantly reduced the chances of winning the award for the first time. first.
Statistics with Real Madrid in the 2025/26 season:
6. Michael Olise – Bayern Munich and France
Michael Olise has risen significantly in the rankings thanks to his outstanding form with Bayern Munich.
With 31 assists during the season, the Frenchman was one of the best playmakers in Europe. He also scored 22 goals and won the Bundesliga and German Cup.
Prior to the World Cup, Olise scored a hat-trick in a friendly against Northern Ireland, while providing five assists for France during the tournament.
However, a lackluster performance in the defeat to Spain and elimination in the semi-finals may have almost completely extinguished his hopes for the award.
Stats with Bayern Munich in season 2025/26:
7. Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid and England
Jude Bellingham did not have his best season with Real Madrid, who finished the season without a trophy.
However, his performances with England at the World Cup put him back among the main contenders. The midfielder shone in the 3-2 win over Mexico and scored twice against Norway in the quarter-finals.
With six goals in the tournament, Bellingham cemented his status as one of the best midfielders in the world.
A dramatic elimination by Argentina in the semi-finals hit his bid hard, but he can improve his stats in the third-place match against France.
Statistics with Real Madrid in the 2025/26 season:
Declan Rice was one of the key figures in Arsenal’s run to their first Premier League title since 2004.
The English midfielder stood out for his energy, ability to control the game and dangerous set-pieces. His transfer of around 100 million pounds from West Ham is now considered fully justified.
Rice hoped to crown his success with Arsenal also with the world title, but England were eliminated by Argentina in the semi-finals.
Statistics with Arsenal in the 2025/26 season:
9. Erling Haaland – Manchester City and Norway
Erling Haaland won two trophies with Manchester City, winning the League Cup and the FA Cup.
The Norwegian striker scored 38 goals and provided nine assists in 52 games for the club. He also scored the winning goal against Arsenal in the Premier League, although that result did not ultimately affect the title race.
Haaland also shone in his first World Cup. He scored two goals against Iraq, two more against Senegal, the winning goal against Ivory Coast and two more against Brazil.
Norway was eliminated by England in the quarter-finals, but Haaland’s performances significantly strengthened his candidacy.
Statistics with Manchester City in the 2025/26 season:
10. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Paris Saint-Germain and Georgia
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia continues to dazzle fans with his one-on-one skills and dribbling that creates constant danger.
The Georgian registered 19 goals and 10 assists, playing an important role in PSG’s second consecutive Champions League triumph. In the final, he also won a penalty for the French team.
His absence at the World Cup, however, could be decisive in a year when the tournament is having a huge impact on the race for the Ballon d’Or.
Statistics with PSG in the 2025/26 season:
Full list of 20 favorites for the Ballon d’Or 2026
The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain could finally determine the winner. An Argentine triumph would put Messi in prime position for a ninth award, while Spain’s success could make Lamine Yamal the youngest Ballon d’Or winner in history. /GazetaExpress/
Source: prizrenpost
