Following Spain‘s victory in the World Cup, attention in the football world has shifted to the upcoming Ballon d’Or award. The ceremony, scheduled for October 26 in London, will honour the top player of the past season. Unlike previous years where a clear favourite often emerged early, the 2026 race is considered open, with several players making strong cases through major trophies and individual performances.
Among the contenders, Fabián Ruiz of Paris Saint-Germain and Spain has garnered attention. He is the only player to have won both the Champions League and the World Cup this year. Ruiz played a significant role in PSG’s Ligue 1 title win and was a key starter in the Champions League final against Arsenal. For Spain, he featured throughout the World Cup campaign, starting in the final against Argentina and scoring a crucial goal in the quarter-final victory over Belgium.
Erling Haaland, representing Manchester City and Norway, is also in contention. Norway reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup, with Haaland being a driving force behind their historic run. He scored seven goals in the tournament. At club level, Haaland maintained his prolific form, scoring 38 goals across all competitions for Manchester City and securing his third Golden Boot in four years, despite the team not winning the Premier League.
Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid and England is another strong candidate. After an injury-affected club season, Bellingham was instrumental in England’s journey to the World Cup semi-finals, scoring seven goals, including a late winner against France in the third-place playoff. His performances showcased relentless midfield surges and incisive passing.
Michael Olise, playing for Bayern Munich and France, led the 2026 World Cup in assists with seven. At club level, Olise scored 22 goals for Bayern Munich during the 2025–26 season, contributing to their Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles. He also provided 31 assists, the most by any player in world football that campaign, and was named Bundesliga Player of the Season.
Key Performers and Club Successes
Ousmane Dembélé, from Paris Saint-Germain and France, is a former Ballon d’Or winner from 2025. In the 2025–26 season, he helped PSG defend their Ligue 1 and Champions League titles, scoring 20 goals, including crucial strikes in the Champions League knockout rounds against Liverpool and Bayern Munich, 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, made history at the 2026 World Cup as the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals, becoming the competition’s all-time leading scorer with 22 goals in 22 appearances. He also scored 42 goals for Real Madrid during the 2025–26 season. Despite his individual brilliance, his teams did not secure major silverware, with Real Madrid ending the season without a trophy and France finishing fourth at the World Cup.
Harry Kane of Bayern Munich and England scored 61 club goals during the 2025–26 season, helping Bayern Munich win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal. He scored six goals for England on their way to the World Cup semi-finals. Kane’s individual performance was strong, though England’s exit in the semi-finals impacted his chances for the individual award.
Lionel Messi, playing for Inter Miami and Argentina, had a remarkable World Cup, scoring eight goals and providing four assists. He delivered a crucial cross that led to Argentina‘s late winner against England in the semi-finals. Despite Argentina not retaining the World Cup, Messi’s individual contributions were significant.
Emerging Talents and Influential Midfielders
Lamine Yamal, a young talent from Barcelona and Spain, is also considered a strong candidate. He was a cornerstone for Luis de la Fuente‘s Spain team that triumphed against Argentina. During the past season, Yamal led Barcelona with 24 goals and 17 assists, contributing to their LaLiga and Spanish Super Cup victories. His performance for both club and country has positioned him as a leading contender.
Rodri Hernández, representing Manchester City and Spain, is highlighted for his influential role in Spain‘s World Cup victory. He delivered strong performances throughout the tournament, including against France and Argentina. Rodri’s ability to control matches and his high-level performance for Manchester City, where he helped challenge for the Premier League, further strengthen his case for the Ballon d’Or. The award ceremony will take place on October 26 in London.
Source: si.com
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