Football travels more quickly than light, so even though Ousmane Dembele’s 2025 Ballon d’Or victory has barely had time to settle, everyone’s eyes are already on the winner of the Golden Ball, which is given to the world’s top player for the 2025–2026 campaign.
Will Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi unexpectedly return to the top of the football hierarchy? Almost anything can happen during a World Cup year, but it’s safer to wager on top players who are representing one of the front-runners for the trophy the following year.
While league and Champions League winners have historically had a significant impact on the event, players from teams like Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Paris Saint-Germain—all of which have begun the season in spectacular form—will be in the running to win the Ballon d’Or.
The coveted individual award used to be determined by a football player’s performance over the course of a year. But this time, for the fourth time in the award’s history, the votes are determined by the season’s outcomes. In light of this, we have identified and ranked the top 20 players for the 2026 Ballon d’Or based on both their current form and the likelihood that their side will win.
Factors that rank
Based on the following, we have established the order:
Scored goals
Helps
Clean sheets (if you’re defensive)
Trophies earned or challenged for (anticipated to) significant events during the 2025–2026 season General form
10Rodri
Manchester City & Spain
As Spain won a record-breaking fourth European Championship and Manchester City won the Premier League for the fourth time in a row, Rodri’s position as the most important player for both club and country was a major contributing reason to his 2024 Ballon d’Or victory. The versatile defensive midfielder may find himself back in the running for the title of best player in the world this season, as both sides are once again in the running for the top honours.
The only things preventing him from succeeding right now are Rodri’s own recuperation and City’s recent slump in play; they appear to be a diminished version of themselves this season, raising doubts about their ability to contend in the Premier League and Champions League. Though you wouldn’t rule out his returning even stronger, he hasn’t entirely regained his splendour after missing a significant portion of the previous season due to an ACL injury.
Man City’s Rodri in 2025–2026
Games
5.
Goals
0
Helps
0
9Vinicius Jr
Real Madrid & Brazil
Real Madrid’s trophyless season last season forced Vinicius Jr. wait even longer for the opportunity to be proclaimed the first Brazilian since Kaka to take the renowned trophy when he refused to attend the 2024 Ballon d’Or presentation after learning he wouldn’t win the honour. It makes sense that the winger was taken aback by his failure to win in the 2024 rematch. He had been the favourite even on the day of the gala, after all.
Although it wasn’t intended for Vinicius, he could be the front-runner in a year if he can have another season that is at least as good as his previous two years. Los Blancos are already looking much better under Xabi Alonso, having won their first six games in all competitions. However, his biggest rivals will be on the same team.
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. in 2025–2026
Games
6.
Objectives
2.
Helps
2.
8Mohamed Salah
Liverpool & Egypt
Simply said, Mohamed Salah’s effect at Liverpool since moving to Anfield is typified by his incredible return of 56 goal contributions in 51 games across all competitions. The Egyptian King is still among the top players in the Premier League, even if he is nearing the end of his career and is working under a new manager for the first time since moving to Merseyside.
As he ages, he actually appears to be improving. History has demonstrated that when it comes to determining who receives particular awards, statistical data is becoming increasingly significant. Because Liverpool is one of the favourites in every competition this season, Salah is undoubtedly a serious contender for the 2026 Ballon d’Or title. The 33-year-old, who has contributed six goals in six games despite not playing at his best, might take off once those around him, including Alexander Isak, start to perform better.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in 2025–2026
Games
6.
Objectives
3.
Helps
3.
7Jude Bellingham
Real Madrid & England
Jude Bellingham is without a doubt the most gifted Englishman to have emerged on the scene in the past ten years, having led Real Madrid to La Liga and the Champions League, scoring an incredible 23 goals from midfield in his debut season, and assisting England in reaching the Euro 2024 final.
The 22-year-old should have no trouble taking centre stage this season because of how incredible his attacking output from midfield is. He is also ready to contribute to a Champions League and World Cup assault for both club and country now that he has had shoulder surgery.
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham in 2024–2025
Games
One
Objectives
0
Helps
0
6Erling Haaland
Manchester City & Norway
Football travels more quickly than light, so even though Ousmane Dembele’s 2025 Ballon d’Or victory has barely had time to settle, everyone’s eyes are already on the winner of the Golden Ball, which is given to the world’s top player for the 2025–2026 campaign.
Will Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi unexpectedly return to the top of the football hierarchy? Almost anything can happen during a World Cup year, but it’s safer to wager on top players who are representing one of the front-runners for the trophy the following year.
While league and Champions League winners have historically had a significant impact on the event, players from teams like Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Paris Saint-Germain—all of which have begun the season in spectacular form—will be in the running to win the Ballon d’Or.
The coveted individual award used to be determined by a football player’s performance over the course of a year. But this time, for the fourth time in the award’s history, the votes are determined by the season’s outcomes. In light of this, we have identified and ranked the top 20 players for the 2026 Ballon d’Or based on both their current form and the likelihood that their side will win.
Factors that rank
Based on the following, we have established the order:
Scored goals
Helps
Clean sheets (if you’re defensive)
Trophies earned or challenged for (anticipated to) significant events during the 2025–2026 season General form 10
Rodri Spain & Manchester City
As Spain won a record-breaking fourth European Championship and Manchester City won the Premier League for the fourth time in a row, Rodri’s position as the most important player for both club and country was a major contributing reason to his 2024 Ballon d’Or victory. The versatile defensive midfielder may find himself back in the running for the title of best player in the world this season, as both sides are once again in the running for the top honours.
The only things preventing him from succeeding right now are Rodri’s own recuperation and City’s recent slump in play; they appear to be a diminished version of themselves this season, raising doubts about their ability to contend in the Premier League and Champions League. Though you wouldn’t rule out his returning even stronger, he hasn’t entirely regained his splendour after missing a significant portion of the previous season due to an ACL injury.
Man City’s Rodri in 2025–2026
Games
5.
Objectives
0
Helps
0
9 Vinicius Jr., Brazil & Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s trophyless season last season forced Vinicius Jr. wait even longer for the opportunity to be proclaimed the first Brazilian since Kaka to take the renowned trophy when he refused to attend the 2024 Ballon d’Or presentation after learning he wouldn’t win the honour. It makes sense that the winger was taken aback by his failure to win in the 2024 rematch. He had been the favourite even on the day of the gala, after all.
Although it wasn’t intended for Vinicius, he could be the front-runner in a year if he can have another season that is at least as good as his previous two years. Los Blancos are already looking much better under Xabi Alonso, having won their first six games in all competitions. However, his biggest rivals will be on the same team.
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. in 2025–2026
Games
6.
Objectives
2.
Helps
2.
8.
Salah Mohamed
Egypt and Liverpool
Salah Mohamed
Simply said, Mohamed Salah’s effect at Liverpool since moving to Anfield is typified by his incredible return of 56 goal contributions in 51 games across all competitions. The Egyptian King is still among the top players in the Premier League, even if he is nearing the end of his career and is working under a new manager for the first time since moving to Merseyside.
As he ages, he actually appears to be improving. History has demonstrated that when it comes to determining who receives particular awards, statistical data is becoming increasingly significant. Because Liverpool is one of the favourites in every competition this season, Salah is undoubtedly a serious contender for the 2026 Ballon d’Or title. The 33-year-old, who has contributed six goals in six games despite not playing at his best, might take off once those around him, including Alexander Isak, start to perform better.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in 2025–2026
Games
6.
Objectives
3.
Helps
3.
7 Jude Bellingham
England and Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham is without a doubt the most gifted Englishman to have emerged on the scene in the past ten years, having led Real Madrid to La Liga and the Champions League, scoring an incredible 23 goals from midfield in his debut season, and assisting England in reaching the Euro 2024 final.
The 22-year-old should have no trouble taking centre stage this season because of how incredible his attacking output from midfield is. He is also ready to contribute to a Champions League and World Cup assault for both club and country now that he has had shoulder surgery.
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham in 2024–2025
Games
One
Objectives
0
Helps
0
6 Erling Haaland
Norway and Manchester City
Even though he won the Premier League Golden Boot in one of his next two seasons, Erling Haaland’s subsequent campaigns may have seemed a touch lacklustre by the standards he established in his debut season with Manchester City. But he has jumped right in this season, and few players have gotten off to as strong a start as he has.
Haaland demonstrates that he might be walking machinery himself in a world where mechanical lifeforms are real. With Guardiola’s team recovering from a period of transition, the rest of the continent should be concerned about the big Viking’s declaration of purpose, as he dominated both Manchester United and Arsenal in his past two games to score three goals.
Man City’s Erling Haaland in 2025–2026
Games
6.
Objectives
7.
Helps
0
5Harry Kane
Bayern Munich & England
The Wayne Rooney of modern football is Harry Kane. He will undoubtedly score 20 goals per season, yes. To find that extra room to perform his magic, he will also play as a holding midfielder for around 30% of the game and record double figures in the assist rankings. After scoring an amazing 213 goals for Tottenham, the England captain finished second in the all-time Premier League scoring lists and became his country’s best goalscorer in 2023.
To date, his transfer to Bayern Munich has been successful, as he was able to secure the Bundesliga, his first professional trophy. He has already scored 12 goals in just six games across all competitions after the first five or so games of this season. If he wins the World Cup and/or the Champions League, he might become England’s first Ballon d’Or winner since Michael Owen’s victory in 2001.
Harry Kane in 2025–2026 with Bayern Munich
Games
6.
Objectives
Twelve
Helps
3.
4Pedri
Barcelona & Spain
Barcelona may have finally discovered their long-term replacement for Andres Iniesta after years of looking. Pedri, who was acquired from Las Palmas in 2019, has become Spain’s next big thing. Given the impact he is already having on his team, it is easy to see why the excitement is warranted. In fact, manager Hansi Flick recently stated that he is unlike anyone else in his position at the moment.
He feels like a La Masia product because to his smooth feet and deft passing, and it’s safe to assume that he is not just Barcelona’s midfield’s future but also Spain’s. Currently regarded as the best midfield player in the world, his absurd midfield skills can only become better given that he is only 22 years old.
Barcelona’s Pedri in 2025–2026
Games
6.
Objectives
One
Helps
0
3Ousmane Dembele
Paris Saint-Germain & France
Ousmane Dembele, who appeared to be a totally different player last season from the one who failed at Barcelona all those years ago, will always find it challenging to maintain the level of performance he achieved in the 2024–25 campaign. However, it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which he crashes and burns right now.
The quick-footed Frenchman, who can play in any position along the front line, has already scored two goals and provided an assist in three Ligue 1 games. Following PSG’s 4-0 thumping of Atalanta in their Champions League opener this season, Luis Enrique appears to be creating a dynasty in which Dembele is the jewel in the crown. It will be very hard to keep the Ballon d’Or, but you risk losing it if you write him off.
PSG’s Ousmane Dembele in 2025–2026
Games
4.
Objectives
2.
Helps
2.
2Lamine Yamal
Barcelona & Spain
Indeed, there has never been a young winner of the Ballon d’Or before, and Lamine Yamal still has a few more years to accomplish this. The question of whether he can actually succeed is up in the air if he keeps up his amazing upward trajectory. He is essentially guaranteed to succeed in the years to come given his current form and celebrity status, but is that still possible in 2026?
Yamal exemplifies the adage “if you’re good enough, you’re old enough” because he has already put one of the biggest clubs in Europe on his back since he was 15 and helped lead his nation to a European Championship at 16. Although he has already smashed a number of records, may this be his best? Many fans have been quick to wonder if Lionel Messi was ever as good as Yamal when he was younger, and his manager, Hansi Flick, feels that there is only one better player in international football at the moment.
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal in 2025–2026
Games
3.
Objectives
2.
Helps
2.
1Kylian Mbappe
Real Madrid & France
It seems inevitable that Kylian Mbappe will stand atop the podium and lift the renowned golden ball at some time during his career. The French forward, who is currently in his mid-20s, is getting closer to being the greatest football player in the world. He has been hailed as Messi and Ronaldo’s heir.
After joining Real Madrid last summer, Mbappe, who scored 256 goals in 305 games for Paris Saint-Germain, required a few months to settle in. However, the Frenchman is stomping to the top after winning the European Golden Shoe last season with 31 goals in 34 La Liga games and scoring seven goals in six appearances this season across all competitions. He has every reason to think he can win the lot in 2026 with France and Los Blancos.
Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe in 2025–2026
Games
6.
Objectives
7.
Helps
One
Complete Top 20 Ballon d’Or Power Rankings
Power Rankings for the Ballon d’Or
Rank
The player
Club
Nation
Place
1.
Mbappe Kylian
Real Madrid
France
Moving forward
2.
Yamal Lamine
Barcelona
Spain
Moving forward
3.
Dembele Ousmane
Saint-Germain, Paris
France
Moving forward
4.
Pedri
Barcelona
Spain
A midfielder
5.
Kane, Harry
The Bayern Munich
England
Moving forward
6.
Haaland, Erling
City of Manchester
Norway
Moving forward
7.
Bellingham, Jude
Real Madrid
England
A midfielder
8.
Salah Mohamed
Liverpool
Egypt
Moving forward
9.
Vinicius Jr.
Real Madrid
Brazil
Moving forward
10.
Rodri
City of Manchester
Spain
A midfielder
11.
Olise, Michael
The Bayern Munich
France
Moving forward
12.
Raphinha
Barcelona
Brazil
Moving forward
13.
Rice, Declan
The Arsenal
England
A midfielder
14.
The Vitinha
Saint-Germain, Paris
Portugal
A midfielder
15.
Van Dijk, Virgil
Liverpool
The Netherlands
Protector
16.
Lionel Messi
Miami Inter
Argentina
Moving forward
17.
Neves, Joao
Saint-Germain, Paris
Portugal
A midfielder
18.
Gravenberch, Ryan
Liverpool
The Netherlands
A midfielder
19.
Saka Bukayo
The Arsenal
England
Moving forward
20.
Ronaldo Cristiano
Al-Nassr
Portugal
Moving forward
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