Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele picked up the 2025 Ballon d’Or, but who will lift the famous individual honour in 2026?
With the 2025/26 season well and truly underway, players are beginning to make their case to land the historic award, and in a World Cup year, there could be many twists and turns.
Here are the 20 players who are best placed to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or right now, based on current form and their respective team’s chances of silverware.
Ranking factors: To help rank the players in order, we have considered the following criteria:
Current form – how well a player has performed in the past few months Importance to their teams – how influential they are to their teams’ performances Reputation – what others say about them
Rank
Player
Age
Club
Nation
Kylian Mbappe
26
Real Madrid
France
Lamine Yamal
18
Barcelona
Spain
Harry Kane
32
Bayern Munich
England
Pedri
22
Barcelona
Spain
Erling Haaland
25
Man City
Norway
Vinicius Jr
25
Real Madrid
Brazil
Declan Rice
26
Arsenal
England
Michael Olise
23
Bayern Munich
France
Ousmane Dembele
28
PSG
France
Jude Bellingham
22
Real Madrid
England
Luis Diaz
28
Bayern Munich
Colombia
Raphinha
28
Barcelona
Brazil
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
24
PSG
Georgia
Cristiano Ronaldo
40
Al-Nassr
Portugal
Lionel Messi
38
Inter Miami
Argentina
Virgil van Dijk
34
Liverpool
Netherlands
Vitinha
25
PSG
Portugal
Joao Neves
21
PSG
Portugal
Mohamed Salah
33
Liverpool
Egypt
Gianluigi Donnarumma
26
Man City
Italy
10 Jude Bellingham Real Madrid and England
Jude Bellingham looks to be getting back to his best following a layoff through injury, scoring some important goals for Real Madrid, including against Barcelona in El Clasico.
The Englishman will surely be in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, and if he can help the Three Lions end 60 years of heartache, he’ll be in the conversation.
9 Ousmane Dembele PSG and France
Could he go back to back? Well, if PSG continue their dominance in France and in Europe, and if Ousmane Dembele helps his country to a World Cup win, there is every chance.
The forward netted his first goals of the season at the end of August before a hamstring injury halted his progress. Still, the 28-year-old has plenty of time to return to full fitness and make his claim of another Ballon d’Or.
8 Michael Olise Bayern Munich and France
Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise has continued his fine form at the Allianz Arena into his second season.
A regular on the right wing under Vincent Kompany, Olise is already into double figures for goal contributions with Munich. Meanwhile, his national manager, Didier Deschamps, has said Olise “has everything”, with France and Bayern teammate Dayot Upamecano calling the attacker a “magician”.
7 Declan Rice Arsenal and England
Now a vital member for club and country, Declan Rice is arguably one of the best midfielders in Europe right now, shining in a slightly further forward role at the Emirates under Mikel Arteta.
After his two stunning free-kicks against Real Madrid in the Champions League last season, Rice is going from strength to strength and has been praised by England legends David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
6 Vinicius Jr Real Madrid and Brazil
Vinicius Jr controversially lost out to Rodri in the 2024 Ballon d’Or but he now appears to be getting back to his best as he eyes the historic individual award.
On the left wing under Xabi Alonso at the Bernabeu, Vinicius is scoring regularly for Madrid and was even handed the captain’s armband in a recent Champions League victory.
5 Erling Haaland Man City and Norway
Jamie Carragher has recently called Erling Haaland the “greatest goalscorer to ever play in English football”, with his ridiculous start to the season leading to the forward himself saying he’s in his best form.
Scoring goals for fun with Man City and Norway, Haaland could be about to play at his first World Cup in 2026, which would be his country’s first since 1998.
4 Pedri Barcelona and Spain
Pulling the strings in Barcelona’s midfield, Pedri is seen as the greatest midfielder right now and will be looking to improve on his 11th place finish last time out.
The Spaniard has even caught the eye of iconic midfielder Paul Scholes, with the Man Utd legend calling Pedri his “new favourite footballer”.
Hansi Flick has also called Pedri a “special” player, adding that he “is also becoming a better leader” for his side.
3 Harry Kane Bayern Munich and England
Harry Kane is continuing to do what he does best – score goals on a regular basis. With Bayern Munich, Kane scored a remarkable 17 goals in the first nine games for the German champions, becoming the fastest player this century to reach 100 goals for a side playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
The England captain will also have his eyes on the 2026 World Cup, which could be his last at the age of 32. Delight for club and country in 2026 will put him in a strong position.
2 Lamine Yamal Barcelona and Spain
Lamine Yamal has won the Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d’Or awards for the last two years, so it feels as if it is just a matter of time until the Barcelona star takes home the major individual honour.
However, Barca currently trail Real Madrid in La Liga and have already dropped points in the Champions League group stage.
Still, if Yamal carries the Catalan giants to silverware and star in his first World Cup, 2026 could be his year.
1 Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid and France
Leading the way as the current 2026 Ballon d’Or favourite is Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe.
The Frenchman has begun the 2025/26 campaign in red-hot form in front of goal, with Madrid looking good under new manager Xabi Alonso.
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal has even called Mbappe the “best in the world”, and on current form, it’s hard to argue against the Madrid fan.