Who deserves to win the Ballon d’Or 2026? For once, there is no obvious answer. The Ballon d’Or 2026 ranking may be one of the most difficult in recent memory. Unlike recent editions, when the winner could largely be narrowed down to two or three names, this year’s race feels different, with half a dozen players holding a claim to football’s most prestigious individual prize.
Since France Football unveiled the 30-man shortlist on Tuesday, rankings and predictions have flooded social media over who should win the Ballon d’Or 2026. Yet there remains little consensus, as every leading contender appears to tick a different box. Some have the goals, others have the trophies, while a few can point to their influence on the biggest stages. Adding to the intrigue, the 70th edition will be the first Ballon d’Or ceremony held outside Paris.
Ahead of the historic ceremony at the London Palladium on October 26, BallBusiness presents its Ballon d’Or 2026 ranking of all 30 nominees, explaining why each player deserves their place on the list and everything you need to knnow about the Ballon d’Or 2026.
Ranking of the 30 Nominees for Ballon d’Or 2026.
30. Julian Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah & Mexico)
Not every player can boast of making the Ballon d’Or shortlist while playing outside Europe’s top leagues. But Julian Quiñones is different.
Quiñones etched his name into history by scoring the opening goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He would go on to score four goals as Mexico reached the Round of 16 on home soil. Playing for Al Qadsiah, Quiñones finished as the Saudi Pro League’s top scorer in the 2025/2026 season, bagging an incredible 33 goals in just 31 league matches.
While not everyone is destined to win the Ballon d’Or, making the 30-man is a monumental achievement in itself for a player like Quiñones.
29. Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan, Argentina)
Lautaro Martínez led Inter Milan from the front, captaining the Nerazzurri to both the Serie A title and Coppa Italia.
The Argentine forward claimed the Capocannoniere as Serie A’s top scorer with 17 goals and further cemented his place in Inter history by overtaking Roberto Boninsegna to become the club’s third-highest goalscorer of all time.
Martínez carried that form into the World Cup, contributing four goals and one assist, including a dramatic 92nd-minute winner against England that sent Argentina into the final. Although Argentina fell short against Spain and Inter endured a disappointing Champions League campaign, a domestic double and individual scoring honour were enough to secure his place on this year’s Ballon d’Or shortlist.
28. Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr, Senegal)
The Ballon d’Or is as much about individual brilliance as it is about team success and fair play. Sadio Mané embodies all three.
The former Ballon d’Or runner-up was instrumental in Senegal’s AFCON triumph, scoring twice and providing three assists before being named Player of the Tournament. He also helped Al Nassr end a seven-year wait for the Saudi Pro League title, contributing 10 goals and six assists.
But beyond the numbers was the sportsmanship he displayed during the AFCON final against Morocco. And if you think fair play does not matter in the Ballon d’Or, ask Simon Kjær, who finished 18th in the 2021 Ballon d’Or following an exceptional year that included his life-saving actions during Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.
27. Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich, France)
Dayot Upamecano anchored Bayern Munich’s defence as the Bavarians secured a Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double. The France international carried that form into the World Cup, forming one of the tournament’s best centre-back partnerships alongside William Saliba as Les Bleus finished fourth.
His physical presence and elite ball-winning ability came to the fore in the third-place playoff against England. Introduced at half-time, his interception sparked France’s opening goal before he later assisted Ousmane Dembélé in stoppage time.
Although France fell short, Upamecano’s performances throughout the tournament earned him a place in the FIFA World Cup Dream XI, reinforcing his status as one of the world’s elite defenders.
26. William Saliba (Arsenal, France)
William Saliba was instrumental in Arsenal’s historic season, helping the Gunners win their first Premier League title in 22 years and reach only the second UEFA Champions League final in the club’s history.
The Frenchman formed one of Europe’s most formidable defensive partnerships alongside Gabriel, keeping 15 clean sheets in their 26 league starts. His consistency also earned him a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for the fourth consecutive season. Saliba carried that form into the World Cup, where he partnered Dayot Upamecano at the heart of France’s defence, conceding just one non-penalty goal before being ruled out of the tournament with a back injury.
25. Luis Díaz (Bayern Munich, Colombia)
Luis Díaz enjoyed an incredible debut season at Bayern Munich, forming a deadly attacking trio alongside Harry Kane and Michael Olise. The Colombian international finished his first campaign in Germany with 26 goals and 19 assists.
He took that form into the World Cup, producing a dream start against Uzbekistan by scoring one goal and providing an assist before being named Player of the Match. However, Díaz failed to build on that explosive opening as Colombia were eliminated by Switzerland in a penalty shootout in the Round of 16.
His 26 goals and 19 assists, coupled with a Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double, make Díaz’s debut season in Germany impossible to overlook. However, his World Cup campaign lacked the performances needed to push him higher, leaving him at No. 25 despite an outstanding year overall.
24. Willian Pacho (Paris Saint-Germain, Ecuador)
The €45 million signing from Eintracht Frankfurt has quietly established himself as one of the best defenders in world football. Willian Pacho was instrumental in PSG’s back-to-back Champions League triumph, forming a formidable partnership with Marquinhos, allowing the Parisians’ attacking players to flourish.
The Ecuadorian international was named the player of the match in PSG’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich and finished the campaign with the most ball recoveries. He helped Ecuador reach the Round of 16 of the World Cup before their campaign ended with a 2-0 defeat to Mexico.
His commanding Champions League campaign and growing importance to PSG’s defence make him a worthy No. 24 in our ranking of the Ballon d’Or 2026 nominees.
23. Marc Cucurella (Chelsea/Real Madrid, Spain)
After struggling at Chelsea and seeing a proposed loan move to Manchester United fall through, Marc Cucurella produced a remarkable resurgence. He has established himself as one of the world’s best left-backs.
Cucurella played a pivotal role in Spain’s second World Cup triumph, starting every match as La Roja conceded just one goal throughout the tournament. His resurgence and relentless work rate earned him a summer move to Real Madrid from Chelsea in a deal worth up to £51.8 million, underlining how quickly Cucurella had rebuilt his reputation after a difficult spell at Stamford Bridge.
22. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid, Brazil)
A few years ago, it seemed almost inevitable that Vinícius Júnior would eventually win the Ballon d’Or. That belief has faded after he dropped to 16th in the 2025 ranking, and his 2026 position is unlikely to improve.
The 26-year-old endured an underwhelming season by his standards, producing 22 goals and 11 assists for Real Madrid without winning a trophy.
Despite starting the World Cup strongly, scoring four goals to become the first Brazilian since 2002 to score in all three group games, he struggled to make the same impact in the knockout rounds. Brazil were eliminated by Norway in the Round of 16, leaving the Real Madrid forward at No. 22 in our Ballon d’Or 2026 Ranking.
21. Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain, Brazil)
Marquinhos led Paris Saint-Germain to a second consecutive UEFA Champions League title and another Ligue 1 title.
His experience and leadership played a key role throughout PSG’s European campaign, as he made 15 Champions League appearances and scored twice en route to the trophy. His performances earned him a place in the official UEFA Champions League Team of the Season, alongside teammates Nuno Mendes and Vitinha. He also captained Brazil to the World Cup Round of 16.
His trophy haul, leadership and recognition among Europe’s best defenders make him a strong No. 21 candidate in our Ballon d’Or 2026 Ranking.
20. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United, Portugal)
Bruno Fernandes would have been higher on this list if not for his underwhelming World Cup campaign with Portugal. The 31-year-old enjoyed an outstanding season with Manchester United, breaking the Premier League record for assists with 21 and finishing the campaign with nine goals and 21 assists in the league.
His creativity earned further recognition as he was named the Premier League’s EA SPORTS Player of the Season and the PFA Players’ Player of the Year. However, United’s failure to win a major trophy limits his case despite Fernandes’ individual brilliance.
Fernandes also struggled to make the same impact at the World Cup, registering just one assist as Portugal were eliminated in the Round of 16. His exceptional domestic numbers keep him firmly in contention, but the lack of silverware and disappointing international campaign make him the No. 20 in our Ballon d’Or 2026 Ranking.
19. João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
João Neves is another victim of Portugal’s disappointing campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite his stellar season with Paris Saint-Germain, the midfielder could not carry that momentum onto the international stage as Portugal were eliminated in the Round of 16.
Neves played a key role in PSG’s historic season, helping the club retain the Ligue 1 title and win a second consecutive Champions League trophy. His technical quality and defensive work rate made him an important figure in Luis Enrique’s midfield throughout the campaign.
However, his limited impact at the World Cup placed João Neves at No. 19 in our Ballon d’Or 2026 Ranking.
18. Ferran Torres (Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain, Spain)
When people talk about Mario Götze, they remember his extra-time winner against Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final. The same goes for Andrés Iniesta and his iconic strike that sealed Spain’s first World Cup title in 2010. Ferran Torres now belongs in that conversation of those that won the World Cup for their country after scoring Spain’s extra-time winner against Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final. His 106th-minute strike delivered Spain their second World Cup and instantly etched his name into the country’s football history.
That defining moment capped an impressive campaign with Barcelona, where Torres played a key role in their La Liga and Spanish Super Cup triumphs, scoring 21 goals across all competitions before making the move to Paris Saint-Germain.
His summer move to Paris Saint-Germain has also got off to a flying start. Torres scored twice on his Ligue 1 debut against Rennes before netting a hat-trick on his Champions League debut against Slovan Bratislava.
17. Gabriel (Arsenal, Brazil)
Arguably the best centre-back in the world, Gabriel enjoyed a remarkable campaign, helping Arsenal win their first Premier League title in 22 years and reach only the second Champions League final in the club’s history.
The Brazilian powerhouse anchored one of Europe’s best defences alongside William Saliba and earned recognition with places in both the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season and the PFA Team of the Season.
In the World Cup, Gabriel provided the assist for Casemiro’s equaliser as Brazil came from behind to defeat Japan in the Round of 32, before their World Cup journey ended in the Round of 16 against Norway.
His defensive excellence and domestic title make him a deserving No. 17 in our Ballon d’Or 2026 Ranking.
16. Declan Rice (Arsenal, England)
Arsenal’s Player of the Season was the driving force behind Mikel Arteta’s side that finally ended a 22-year wait for the Premier League title and reached only the second UEFA Champions League final in the club’s history.
Rice’s outstanding campaign earned him places in both the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season and the PFA Team of the Season.
He carried that form into the World Cup, helping England secure a third-place finish. This is England’s best result since winning the tournament in 1966. The Arsenal midfielder contributed three goal involvements during the tournament, including a goal and an assist against France, becoming the first England player to register both in his first World Cup match as captain.
His influence at both ends of the pitch and success for club and country make him a deserving No. 16 in our Ballon d’Or 2026 Ranking.
15. Nuno Mendes(Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
Nuno Mendes has established himself as one of Europe’s finest full-backs and arguably the best left-back in the world. His pace, defensive strength and attacking quality make him a nightmare for any opposition winger.
Mendes played a key role in Paris Saint-Germain’s second Champions League triumph and earned a place in the official UEFA Champions League Team of the Season alongside teammates Marquinhos and Vitinha. He also helped PSG retain the Ligue 1 title.
He carried his importance into the World Cup, helping Portugal reach the Round of 16 before an injury ended his tournament against Spain. Though Portugal eventually lost the match, Mendes had already done enough to strengthen his reputation at the highest level. These make Nuno Mendes the deserving No. 15 in our Ballon d’Or 2026 Ranking.
14. Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
Vitinha, who finished third in the 2025 Ballon d’Or, is another major victim of Portugal’s disappointing World Cup campaign.
The Portuguese midfielder built on that podium finish with another outstanding season, guiding Paris Saint-Germain to a second consecutive Champions League title. His outstanding performances earned him Player of the Match honours in the final against Arsenal and a place in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season.
However, Vitinha could not reproduce that influence at the World Cup. The 26-year-old started all four of Portugal’s matches before Spain eliminated them 1-0 in the Round of 16. This hurt his chances of matching last year’s podium finish, despite cementing his status as one of Europe’s finest midfielders with PSG.
13. Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco)
Achraf Hakimi came close to captaining Morocco to their first AFCON title since 1976, but Brahim Díaz denied that after failing to convert from the spot. Although Morocco is eventually awarded the title by CAF, the matter is still in court after Senegal had appealed the decision.
For Hakimi, he continued his remarkable form with Morocco, leading them to a second consecutive World Cup quarter-final. That made Morocco the first African nation to reach the World Cup last eight in back-to-back editions.
He also played a key role in Paris Saint-Germain’s second consecutive Champions League title and Ligue 1 triumph. However, the Moroccan international will struggle to build on his 6th place finish in the 2025 Ballon d’Or ranking, as other nominees have a compelling case.
12. Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona, Spain)
Pau Cubarsí enjoyed a remarkable season, anchoring the La Roja defence that conceded just one goal in eight matches on their way to a second World Cup title. He won the FIFA Young Player Award, becoming the first Spanish player to receive the honour and the first defender to claim it since Manuel Amorós in 1982.
The Barcelona defender also played a key role in Hansi Flick’s side that won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup. His composure, positioning and maturity established him as one of Europe’s standout defenders despite being just 19 years old.
The Ballon d’Or top 10 ranking remains out of reach for now. However, 12th place marks a remarkable achievement for a defender who does not turn 20 until January.
11.Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
Heading into the World Cup, Ousmane Dembélé had a chance to become the first player since Lionel Messi in 2021 to retain the Ballon d’Or. Despite missing a chunk of the season through injury, Dembélé played a key role in Paris Saint-Germain’s second consecutive Champions League title and Ligue 1 triumph. The 2025 Ballon d’Or winner finished the season with 25 goals and 14 assists across all competitions.
At the World Cup, Dembélé scored six goals and provided two assists, including a hat-trick against Norway. Alongside Kylian Mbappé, the pair both combined to score six goals during France’s run, forming a deadly attacking duo.
France’s disappointing campaign definitely weakened Dembélé’s case for back-to-back Ballon d’Or victories. However, his European success and World Cup output still make him a strong contender, earning him No. 11 in our Ballon d’Or 2026 Ranking.
10. Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)
Erling Haaland enjoyed a World Cup debut to remember, leading Norway to their first-ever World Cup quarter-final. The Norwegian striker scored seven goals and established himself as one of the tournament’s standout performers.
His Round of 16 display against Brazil will remain one of the competition’s defining performances. Haaland scored twice to eliminate the five-time world champions and send Norway into the quarter-finals.
Although he failed to add to his tally against England as Norway exited in the last eight, Haaland still finished as the joint-third highest goalscorer at the tournament, with only Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi scoring more. That underlined his impact on Norway’s historic run to the quarter-finals.
At club level, however, Haaland failed to strengthen his case. Despite scoring 38 goals and providing nine assists in 52 appearances, winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, claiming another Premier League Golden Boot and earning a place in the PFA Team of the Season, he fell short in the competitions that mattered most. Manchester City lost the Premier League title to Arsenal and exited the Champions League in the Round of 16 against Real Madrid.
While those setbacks weaken his case to climb higher, Haaland’s World Cup heroics and other acheivement provide a compelling Ballon d’Or argument and secure his place at No. 10 in our Ballon d’Or 2026 Ranking.
9. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)
Jude Bellingham played a leading role in England’s third-place finish at the FIFA World Cup, their best result since lifting the trophy in 1966.
The Real Madrid midfielder produced one of the tournament’s standout individual campaigns. He became the second-youngest player after Pelé to score in successive World Cup knockout matches and the first player since Diego Maradona in 1986 to score twice in a World Cup match at the Estadio Azteca.
Bellingham finished the tournament with seven goals, the most ever scored by an England player in a single World Cup edition.
However, injuries disrupted his club season. The 23-year-old missed a large part of the campaign and finished the season without a major trophy as Real Madrid fell short in both La Liga and the Champions League. While his injury-hit and club performance weakens his case, Bellingham’s outstanding World Cup performances remain impossible to ignore, earning him No. 9 in our Ballon d’Or 2026 Ranking.
8. Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain, Spain)
His name may lack the glamour of some of the other players in the top 10, but if winning the Ballon d’Or were simply about winning trophies, nobody would have a stronger case than Fabián Ruiz. The Spaniard is the only nominee to have won both the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Champions League in the same season.
And Ruiz was no passenger in either triumph. Despite an injury-hit season, he played a key role in Paris Saint-Germain’s second consecutive Champions League title, starting the final against Arsenal. He then played an important role in Spain’s World Cup triumph, scoring in the quarter-final 2–1 victory against Belgium.
While his attacking numbers do not match those of the leading forwards and injuries limited his campaign, Ruiz was still instrumental in both PSG’s Champions League triumph and Spain’s World Cup victory. He was at the heart of both teams and had his influnce on both. With this, Ruiz has done enough to earn No. 8 in our Ballon d’Or 2026 Ranking.
7. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina)
What could have been the perfect international goodbye ended in heartbreak for Lionel Messi. A World Cup victory over Spain would have comfortably put him on the Ballon d’Or podium for what may be the final time in his career. But Messi failed to deliver in the final, losing both the World Cup and the Player of the Tournament award to Spain and Rodri.
Messi’s individual tournament, however, was extraordinary. Lionel Messi opened the tournament with a hat-trick against Algeria to become the oldest player to score a hat-trick in World Cup history. He went on to score eight goals and provide four assists across Argentina’s eight matches, becoming the first player to score in nine consecutive World Cup games and the first to score in six straight knockout matches. Messi also broke the World Cup’s all-time assist record against Egypt before providing two more assists against England to send Argentina into the final.
Beyond the World Cup, Messi guided Inter Miami to their first MLS title in the club’s history and finished the MLS season with 48 goals contribution. Despite having what is arguably the best individual World Cup campaign of his career, Messi’s failure to win the World Cup and lack of European competition leave him at No. 7 in our Ballon d’Or 2026 Ranking.
6. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain, Georgia)
Location matters, and so does timing. In a non-World Cup year, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia could have made a serious case for the Ballon d’Or podium. However, Georgia failed to qualify, leaving him as the only nominee who missed the 2026 World Cup.
That absence hurts his case after an exceptional season with Paris Saint-Germain, where he helped the club retain the Champions League and Ligue 1. Kvaratskhelia found the net in every knockout stage of the Champions League except the final, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists in the Champions League, and was named the UEFA Champions League Player of the Season.
While his Champions League campaign strengthened his Ballon d’Or case, missing the World Cup might hurt his chances of finishing on the podium of the Ballon d’Or.
5. Michael Olise (Bayern Munich, France)
Michael Olise enjoyed a remarkable 2025/26 campaign, scoring 22 goals and providing 31 assists in all competitions for Bayern Munich.
With his trademark curling finish from the edge of the box and exquisite weight of pass, Olise was instrumental in Bayern’s Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double. Olise won the Bundesliga Player of the Season award scoring 15 goals and providing 19 assists in the league.
There is no doubt that Olise is the best playmaker in world football right now. He took his playmaking to another level at the World Cup, providing seven assists, which is the most by any player at a single World Cup.
While France’s failure to win the World Cup may have hurt his chances of climbing higher, his extraordinary club numbers and record-breaking tournament make him a deserving No. 5 in our Ballon d’Or 2026 Ranking.
4. Rodri (Manchester City/Barcelona, Spain)
Rodri turned back the hands of time with his outstanding performances at the FIFA World Cup, reminding everyone why he won the 2024 Ballon d’Or. After an injury-hit season with Manchester City, the Spaniard returned to his best on the biggest stage and helped Spain win their second World Cup.
The 30-year-old was at the heart of Spain’s midfield, controlling the tempo of matches and setting their pace with his passing. He led the tournament for line-breaking passes and set the record for the most successful passes in FIFA World Cup history. His performances earned him the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
Rodri’s limited club appearances remain the biggest weakness in his case for another podium finish. However, his influence on Spain’s World Cup triumph and another outstanding individual tournament have done enough to place Rodri at No. 4 in our Ballon d’Or 2026 Ranking.
3. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid, France)
Kylian Mbappé was once dubbed the heir to the Messi and Ronaldo Ballon d’Or throne. In the 2026 FIFA World Cup again, he proved why he should be considered as one of the legends of the game. The France captain won the Golden Boot after scoring 10 goals and finished the tournament with 22 World Cup goals in just 22 appearances, becoming the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history. Kylian Mbappe is the only player to have won the World Cup golden boot twice and holds the record for most goals scored at in World Cup knockout stages.
The 27-year-old also enjoyed another outstanding individual season with Real Madrid. Mbappé scored 42 goals in 55 appearances across all competitions, won the Pichichi Trophy as La Liga’s top scorer and finished as the UEFA Champions League’s leading goalscorer. Few players on this shortlist can match his individual output across both club and international football.
Realistically, Mbappé has done enough individually to win the Ballon d’Or. However, football’s biggest individual prize rarely ignores silverware. Real Madrid finished the season without a major trophy and France fell short at the World Cup. Those setbacks may ultimately count against him despite a campaign worthy of football’s highest individual honour. Even Mbappé appears aware of that reality:
“I made history this summer in the most prestigious competition, but there’s still a long way to go. This might be a good year for the Ballon d’Or, but the journalists vote, and they will decide. I only focus on doing my best.”-Mbappe.
Those achievements earn Mbappé No. 3 in our Ballon d’Or 2026 Ranking. Whether his historic numbers can outweigh his lack of major silverware remains the defining question in his Ballon d’Or case.
2. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
Could Lamine Yamal become the youngest Ballon d’Or winner in history?
No teenager has ever won football’s most prestigious individual award. The youngest winner remains Ronaldo Nazário, who lifted the trophy at 21 in 1997. Now, Yamal has a genuine chance to break a record that has stood for nearly three decades.
Some fans may view his World Cup campaign as underwhelming after he finished with one goal and one assist. It is, however, difficult to imagine Spain lifting the World Cup without him as Yamal’s influence extended far beyond goals and assists.
His ability to create space, unbalance defences, attract multiple defenders and support his full-back made him Spain’s most important weapon. As Rodri said during the tournament, “He’s a very important player for us because of what he does with and without the ball.” Even in the World Cup final, Yamal highlighted that influence by winning 9 of his 18 ground duels, completing all three of his tackles and recording four ball recoveries.
“He’s a very important player for us because of what he does with and without the ball.” – Rodri on Yamal.
At club level, Yamal was equally outstanding. He registered a career-high 24 goals and 18 assists as Barcelona retained La Liga. Unlike many of his rivals, the 2025 Ballon d’Or runner-up has built his case over a sustained period, remaining one of the most consistent performers in world football.
Whether he has done enough to win the Ballon d’Or remains one of the biggest questions ahead of the ceremony. Had he added the World Cup Golden Ball to his collection, the debate might already be over. For now, Yamal narrowly misses out on the top spot and settles for No. 2 in our Ballon d’Or 2026 Ranking.
1. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)
Do you believe in fairytales? Because this might just be one. For the first time in Ballon d’Or history, the ceremony will be held outside Paris, with London hosting football’s biggest individual award. And standing on the brink of history is Harry Kane, the England captain who spent most of his career building his legacy in London.
Despite Kylian Mbappé claiming the golden boots in the World Cup, La Liga and UEFA Champions League, no player in Europe’s top five leagues scored more goals than Harry Kane during the 2025/26 season. The Bayern Munich striker finished with the season with 61 goals and 7 assists in 51 Bayern appearances across all competitions, helping the Bavarians win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal. This is 19 more than his closest rival, Kylian Mbappé. His 36 league goals earned him the European Golden Shoe, while his 14 Champions League goals left him just one short of Kylian Mbappé who won the UCL golden boot with 15 goals.
Kane carried that form into the World Cup, captaining England to third, their best-ever finish since winning the World Cup in 1966. He finished the tournament with six goals and one assist, once again proving decisive on football’s biggest stage.
If there has ever been a year for Harry Kane to win the Ballon d’Or, this is it. Unlike his rivals, Kane has the individual numbers, major trophies and a deep World Cup run. That is why Harry Kane sits at No. 1 in our Ballon d’Or 2026 Ranking.
Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
When is the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony?
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on Monday, October 26, 2026, marking the 70th edition of the award.
Where will the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony take place?
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place at the London Palladium Theatre in London, England. It will be the first time the ceremony has been held in England.
Why is the 2026 Ballon d’Or being held in London instead of Paris?
The 2026 ceremony is being held in London to honour Stanley Matthews, the Englishman who won the inaugural Ballon d’Or in 1956.
Who are the favourites to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or?
The leading contenders are Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé and Rodri, according to the BallBusiness Ballon d’Or 2026 Ranking.
Who is the youngest player to win the Ballon d’Or?
Ronaldo Nazário is the youngest player to win the Ballon d’Or. The Brazilian was 21 years and 96 days old when he won the award in 1997. If Yamal wins the 2026 Ballon d’Or, he will become the youngest winner in the history of the award, breaking a record that has stood since Ronaldo Nazário’s victory in 1997.
Who is the oldest player to win the Ballon d’Or?
Stanley Matthews is the oldest player to win the Ballon d’Or. The Englishman was 41 years and 10 months old when he won the inaugural award in 1956.
What period does the 2026 Ballon d’Or cover?
The 2026 Ballon d’Or evaluates performances from 3 August 2025 to 19 July 2026, covering the 2025/26 season.
Importantly, the evaluation period includes the 2026 FIFA World Cup, meaning performances at the tournament form part of this year’s Ballon d’Or assessment alongside each player’s club campaign.
Who won the 2025 Ballon d’Or?
PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé won the 2025 Ballon d’Or after helping PSG achieve a historic treble, winning the Ligue 1, Coupe de France and their first ever UEFA Champions League title.
Which club has the most 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees?
Paris Saint-Germain lead all clubs with 10 nominees on the 2026 shortlist.
How Is the Ballon d’Or Winner Decided?
The Ballon d’Or winner is decided by an international panel of football journalists based on three main criteria, in order of importance:
- Individual performances, decisive and impressive character
- Collective performances and trophies won
- Class and fair play
Who votes for the 2026 Ballon d’Or?
The award is voted on by an international panel of football journalists selected for the process.
For the Men’s Ballon d’Or, 100 journalists represent the top 100 countries in the FIFA men’s world ranking.
For the Women’s Ballon d’Or, 50 journalists represent the top 50 countries in the FIFA women’s world ranking.
How does Ballon d’Or voting work?
Each men’s Ballon d’Or voter receives the official list of 30 nominees and ranks their top 10 players. The first is awarded 15 points. the second is awarded 12 poitns and the third is awarded 10 points. The France Football adds the points from all voters and the player with the most points wins the Ballon d’Or.
Here is the tabular list of the voter’s ranking and points:
| Voter’s Ranking | Points |
| 1st | 15 |
| 2nd | 12 |
| 3rd | 10 |
| 4th | 8 |
| 5th | 7 |
| 6th | 5 |
| 7th | 4 |
| 8th | 3 |
| 9th | 2 |
| 10th | 1 |
What happens if two players tie in Ballon d’Or voting?
France Football has a specific tie-breaking system.
Where two or more players finish with the same number of points, the player who received more first-place votes finishes higher.
If they also have the same number of first-place votes, France Football compares their second-place votes. If they remain level, it moves to third-place votes and continues down the rankings until the tie is broken.
Any dispute from the voting process is resolved by the Editor-in-Chief of France Football who has the final decision as the organiser.
Do Ballon d’Or winners keep the trophy?
Yes. France Football produces an original trophy for each category every year, and the winner keeps it permanently. Winners can also request additional official replicas.
What awards will be presented at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony?
The 2026 ceremony goes beyond the Men’s Ballon d’Or. Organisers will present awards across men’s and women’s football, including:
- Men’s and Women’s Ballon d’Or
- Men’s and Women’s Young Talent of the Year
- Men’s and Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year
- Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year
- Men’s and Women’s Club of the Year
- Men’s and Women’s Striker of the Year
- Sócrates Award, recognising solidarity initiatives and societal causes supported by a player
BallBusiness Ranking of the 30 Nominees for Ballon d’Or 2026.
| Rank | Player | Club | Country |
| 1 | Harry Kane | Bayern Munich | England |
| 2 | Lamine Yamal | Barcelona | Spain |
| 3 | Kylian Mbappé | Real Madrid | France |
| 4 | Rodri | Manchester City/Barcelona | Spain |
| 5 | Michael Olise | Bayern Munich | France |
| 6 | Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | Paris Saint-Germain | Georgia |
| 7 | Lionel Messi | Inter Miami | Argentina |
| 8 | Fabián Ruiz | Paris Saint-Germain | Spain |
| 9 | Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid | England |
| 10 | Erling Haaland | Manchester City | Norway |
| 11 | Ousmane Dembélé | Paris Saint-Germain | France |
| 12 | Pau Cubarsí | Barcelona | Spain |
| 13 | Achraf Hakimi | Paris Saint-Germain | Morocco |
| 14 | Vitinha | Paris Saint-Germain | Portugal |
| 15 | Nuno Mendes | Paris Saint-Germain | Portugal |
| 16 | Declan Rice | Arsenal | England |
| 17 | Gabriel | Arsenal | Brazil |
| 18 | Ferran Torres | Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain | Spain |
| 19 | João Neves | Paris Saint-Germain | Portugal |
| 20 | Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United | Portugal |
| 21 | Marquinhos | Paris Saint-Germain | Brazil |
| 22 | Vinícius Júnior | Real Madrid | Brazil |
| 23 | Marc Cucurella | Chelsea/Real Madrid | Spain |
| 24 | Willian Pacho | Paris Saint-Germain | Ecuador |
| 25 | Luis Díaz | Bayern Munich | Colombia |
| 26 | William Saliba | Arsenal | France |
| 27 | Dayot Upamecano | Bayern Munich | France |
| 28 | Sadio Mané | Al-Nassr | Senegal |
| 29 | Lautaro Martínez | Inter Milan | Argentina |
| 30 | Julián Quiñones | Al-Qadsiah | Mexico |
What do you think of the BallBusiness Ballon d’Or 2026 Ranking?
Do you agree with our picks from No. 30 to No. 1? Who do you think should win the Ballon d’Or? Who should be higher on our list, and who have we ranked too generously?
Share your thoughts in the comments below, and please keep the conversation respectful.