Di race for 2026 Ballon d'Or don hot up after World Cup finish, with England captain Harry Kane dey top di power rankings before di official shortlist drop.
Di award go recognize di best footballer for 2025-26 European season, from August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026. France Football go announce di 30-man shortlist for August before di winner crown for October ceremony.
Spain wey win World Cup don change di rankings, as plenty of dia stars don climb up. But Kane still be di man to beat afta another wonderful campaign. Di England striker score 73 goals and add eight assists for di season. He win Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup with Bayern Munich, and score six times to help England reach World Cup semi-final.
Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal still be strong contender afta winning World Cup, La Liga and Spanish Super Cup. Di teenager get 26 goals and 21 assists for di season, but some people say he no get defining moments for Spain biggest World Cup matches.
At 39 years, Lionel Messi don force im way back into Ballon d’Or contention. Di Argentine legend inspire Inter Miami to MLS Cup, finish di season with 44 goals and 30 assists, and score eight goals with four assists as Argentina reach World Cup final.
Michael Olise don enjoy breakthrough campaign for Bayern Munich. Di French winger get 26 goals and 41 assists, help di club win three domestic trophies, and produce record-breaking seven assists for France World Cup semi-final run.
Even though Real Madrid finish season without major trophy, Kylian Mbappe get another prolific campaign with 58 goals and 14 assists. Di France captain also win World Cup Golden Boot as top scorer with 10 goals.
Rodri Ballon d’Or hopes don revive afta Spain World Cup win. Di Manchester City midfielder battle injury for club season but come outstanding for North America and win tournament Best Player award.
Di reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé don slip down di rankings despite helping Paris Saint-Germain win Champions League, Ligue 1 and oda trophies. Injuries disrupt im season, and France semi-final exit dent im chance to retain di award.
Erling Haaland score anoda 58 goals for Manchester City wey win FA Cup and Carabao Cup. He also inspire Norway to dia first World Cup quarter-final since 1998, scoring seven goals for di tournament.
Di Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia play crucial role for PSG Champions League triumph, but Georgia no qualify for World Cup wey weaken im Ballon d’Or chances.
Biggest new entrant for top 10 na Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi. Di 19-year-old emerge as one of World Cup revelations, help Spain concede only one goal on way to title and win Best Young Player award.
Jude Bellingham prove im be man for big occasions, with performance against Mexico for round of 16 and heroics against Norway. But England go out early, so im no go seriously challenge for Ballon d’Or.
With Harry Kane still lead di race, but Spain World Cup heroes and stars like Messi, Yamal and Mbappe dey contention, di battle for football biggest individual honour remain wide open.
