Spain’s World Cup triumph elevates Yamal as a top Ballon d’Or contender
Following Spain’s World Cup victory, attention has shifted to the upcoming Ballon d’Or award ceremony scheduled for October 26 in London. This year’s competition is considered open, with several players making strong cases through major trophies, including the Champions League and the World Cup, alongside individual performances.
Lamine Yamal has emerged as a leading contender for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, propelled by his significant role in Spain’s successful World Cup campaign. He currently tops one ranking of favorites for the prestigious individual award.
Leading Contenders for the 2026 Ballon d’Or
Among the top contenders, Lionel Messi of Inter Miami and Argentina is ranked second in one assessment. Messi delivered a notable performance during the World Cup, contributing eight goals and four assists, including a crucial cross for Argentina’s late winning goal against England in the semifinals.
Harry Kane, who plays for Bayern Munich and England, is another prominent name. He scored 61 club goals during the 2025–26 season, helping Bayern Munich secure the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles. Kane also scored six goals for England during their World Cup run to the semifinals.
Ousmane Dembélé, a Paris Saint-Germain and France player, is also in contention. He was the recipient of the 2025 Ballon d’Or after a campaign where he scored 35 goals across all competitions and was instrumental in PSG’s first Champions League win. In the 2025–26 season, Dembélé scored 20 goals as PSG defended their Ligue 1 and Champions League titles, including crucial goals in the Champions League knockout rounds and PSG’s only goal in the final against Arsenal. He also contributed six goals for France at the World Cup.
Kylian Mbappé, representing Real Madrid and France, finished as the World Cup’s top scorer with 10 goals, making him the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 22 goals in 22 appearances. He also scored 42 goals for Real Madrid during the 2025–26 season. However, his lack of major silverware with Madrid and France’s fourth-place finish at the World Cup might affect his chances.
Michael Olise, from Bayern Munich and France, was the leading assist provider at the 2026 World Cup with seven assists. For Bayern Munich in the 2025–26 season, Olise scored 22 goals and provided 31 assists, helping the team win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles. He was also named Bundesliga Player of the Season.
Jude Bellingham, an England midfielder, had a significant impact during the World Cup, scoring seven goals, including a late winner against France in the third-place playoff. His club season with Real Madrid was affected by injuries, and England did not win the trophy, which could impact his Ballon d’Or prospects.
Erling Haaland, a striker for Manchester City and Norway, was a driving force behind Norway’s run to the World Cup quarterfinals. He scored seven goals in the tournament. In the 2025–26 club season, Haaland scored 38 goals across all competitions, claiming his third Golden Boot in four years, despite Manchester City not winning the Premier League.
Fabián Ruiz, playing for Paris Saint-Germain and Spain, is the only player this year to have won both the Champions League and the World Cup. He played a key role in PSG’s Ligue 1 title and became an unexpected starter in the Champions League final. For Spain, Ruiz featured throughout the World Cup, starting the final against Argentina and scoring a crucial opening goal in the quarterfinal win against Belgium.
Other players mentioned in the top 10 rankings include Declan Rice of England and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a forward from Georgia.
The final decision on who will win the 2026 Ballon d’Or will be announced on October 26 in London.
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Source: si.com
