Ballon d’Or 2026 contenders
Leading candidates for prestigious award as
world’s best player is crowned in London on October 26

Harry Kane ENG
Europe’s top goalscorer,
hitting 61 goals in 51
games as Bayern win
league and cup double.
Added six World Cup
strikes, leading England
to best finish since 1966.
Could become only
fifth Englishman
to win award

Lamine Yamal ESP
Scored 24 goals and
added 18 assists as
Barcelona retained
La Liga title. Aged 19,
influential throughout
Spain’s World Cup
triumph despite
carrying hamstring
injury. Runner-up for
Ballon d’Or in 2025

Rodri ESP
Midfield maestro
claimed Golden Ball
at FIFA World Cup
following cup double
with Manchester City
– Pep Guardiola’s final
season. Joined giants
Barcelona, making
strong start as club
tops La Liga table

Kylian Mbappé FRA
Claimed World Cup
Golden Boot, becoming
tournament’s all-time
leading scorer with
22 goals – ahead
of Lionel Messi (21).
Amassed 42 goals
in 44 games for Real
Madrid despite
trophyless season

Ousmane Dembélé FRA
Underlined importance
to PSG as club retained
both Ligue 1 and
Champions League
titles. Slow start to
new campaign may
harm chances of
becoming seventh man
to claim successive
Ballon d’Or titles

Erling Haaland NOR
Starred as Norway
reached World Cup
quarter-finals in first
appearance since
1998. Scored 38 goals
for Manchester City –
club’s ongoing fight
against guilty verdict
over financial breaches
may taint award hopes

Source: Ballon d’Or
Pictures: Getty Images
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