Ballon d’Or 2026: Messi, Mbappe, Kane and Yamal lead open race

The 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or will be awarded at the London Palladium on Monday, with Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland among the leading contenders in one of the most difficult races to predict in recent years.

Voting closed on 28 September, leaving the outcome in the hands of the journalists selecting the winner. The contest comes as the long period of dominance by Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo begins to recede, with sporting performance, major trophies, goals and public campaigning all influencing the debate.

Messi has won the award a record eight times, while Ronaldo has claimed it five times. Before their era, Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten each won the prize three times.

Luka Modric was the only player to interrupt Messi and Ronaldo’s hold on the award during the 2010s, winning in 2018. The following decade has produced a wider range of winners, with Messi taking the honour twice alongside Karim Benzema, Rodri and Ousmane Dembele.

Mbappe relies on individual achievements

Mbappe believes his performances make him a serious candidate, arguing that the award should recognise exceptional displays rather than simply judging ordinary consistency.

The Real Madrid and France forward strengthened his case at the World Cup, scoring 10 goals to win the Golden Boot and become the tournament’s all-time leading goalscorer. His campaign is weakened, however, by Real Madrid’s failure to win a trophy and France’s inability to secure the World Cup.

Kane points to domestic double

Harry Kane enjoyed a highly successful season with Bayern Munich, winning a domestic league and cup double while continuing to produce outstanding scoring figures.

The England striker could not lead his country to World Cup glory and did not score beyond the round of 16. Even so, he believes his complete body of work merits recognition and, in comments to Marca, argued that his individual production combined with team success gave him an advantage over players who ended the season without major trophies.

Yamal’s honours strengthen his case

Lamine Yamal won LaLiga with Barcelona before lifting the World Cup with Spain, giving the teenager a powerful argument based on collective success.

His personal contribution at the tournament was more limited, with one goal and no assists. Yamal remains convinced he belongs among the world’s elite and suggested the final contest should be between himself and Mbappe.

The World Cup has traditionally carried considerable weight in Ballon d’Or voting, but the leading candidates offer contrasting claims. Mbappe has the tournament goals and records, Kane has Bayern’s domestic double, and Yamal has major international and club honours.

The increased importance of campaigning was underlined by Rodri’s 2024 victory, when Manchester City reportedly made him available for several interviews to raise his international profile. The episode also showed how significant the prize has become for clubs.

Messi and Ronaldo are no longer the only defining figures in the race. With voting complete, the result will depend on how journalists weigh reputation, legacy, personal numbers and trophies before crowning one player as the best in the world.