With the 2025/26 football season wrapping up after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, talks about who should win the next Ballon d'Or have taken the spotlight.
The competition for this prestigious award is looking exciting this year. Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Rodri, and last year's winner Ousmane Dembélé are among the top names being discussed in the early rankings by football experts and major sports media, according to Sports Illustrated.
The 2026 Ballon d'Or award ceremony is set for October 26, 2026, in London. The winner will take over from Dembélé, who won the award in 2025.
Messi holds the record for the most Ballon d'Or wins with eight titles, while Cristiano Ronaldo follows with five.
The 2026 race has varied stories behind the contenders. Kane has strong support for his impressive stats and club performance. Meanwhile, Yamal's case is boosted by Spain's World Cup win.
Messi and Mbappé are back in the mix after their strong showings in the tournament. Rodri and Dembélé also remain key names in the discussions.
Many football legends, former players, and sports outlets have already shared their favorites for the award.
1. Jamie Carragher, Harry Kane
Former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher has made a clear choice, saying that Harry Kane should win the 2026 Ballon d'Or based on his last year's performances.
"Based on the past 12 months, Kane should win the Ballon d'Or," Carragher stated. But he also pointed out that Kane might lose out because the award is given during a World Cup year. This could lead voters to favor a player from the winning team, as reported by Goal.
2. Rodri, Lamine Yamal
Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, has voiced his support for his Spain teammate Lamine Yamal to win the award one day.
Before the World Cup, Rodri said Yamal has the qualities to become a Ballon d'Or winner, according to beIN SPORTS. Yamal's case has gained strength since Spain's World Cup victory, with major sports outlets now seeing him as a top contender alongside Kane and others.
3. William Gallas, Lamine Yamal
Former French player William Gallas has also backed Yamal. After the World Cup, he argued that Yamal had a stronger case for the 2026 award than Kane.
According to Bavarian Football Works, Gallas believes Yamal’s role in Spain's World Cup win is more significant than Kane’s individual goal tally, especially since England did not make it to the final.
5. Sporting outlets, Kane, Yamal
The media debate has focused more on Kane and Yamal. Sporting News ranked both players as top candidates even before the World Cup. After the tournament, TalkSPORT reported that they are now the top two contenders.
Their cases are built on different strengths. Kane brings extraordinary individual stats and a strong club season, while Yamal has elite club success mixed with a World Cup-winning performance.
6. L’Équipe readers, Kylian Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé has also gained significant support. A poll by French sports newspaper L’Équipe showed him leading among over 35,000 voters. Mbappé reportedly got nearly 32 percent of the votes, ahead of Yamal and Kane.
His case is based on his 2026 season, including 10 goals at the World Cup, making him the tournament's top scorer, along with his record-breaking achievements for France.
7. L’Équipe and CBS Sports, Lionel Messi
Messi has returned to the Ballon d'Or talks after another great World Cup showing. L’Équipe called him a natural candidate for a ninth Ballon d'Or after he led Argentina to the final, scoring eight goals and providing four assists.
CBS Sports also mentioned that Messi's amazing World Cup could put him back in the race, especially since several top contenders did not win the tournament.
8. Ousmane Dembélé, defending champion
Dembélé is still a strong candidate as the defending Ballon d'Or winner. Before the World Cup, he was among the top names considered for another award.
A CBS Sports Golazo program also discussed Dembélé as a leading candidate, comparing his chances with Mbappé, Yamal, Kane, Erling Haaland, Raphinha, and more.
The 2026 Ballon d'Or race is showing many competing arguments. Kane's fantastic individual stats, Yamal's World Cup win, Mbappé's scoring records, Messi's outstanding tournament, and the claims of stars like Dembélé and Rodri are all part of the debate.
With the final votes still pending, the question is not just about who had the best season, but which achievements voters will value the most.
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