Naija, make we yarn about di Ballon d’Or race wey don hot up after di 2026 FIFA World Cup. Normally, for World Cup year, di winner dey clear after di tournament, but dis year different. No one man don stand out pass di rest, even though Spain win di trophy.
Rodri, di Spanish midfield general, don force im way back into contention. After serious injury wey make am miss plenty games for Manchester City, e come back strong for January. E help City go unbeaten for months, win Carabao Cup and FA Cup double. But di main reason why Rodri dey di conversation na im performance for World Cup. E start every game for Spain, shield di backline wey concede only one goal for di whole competition. Dem give am Golden Ball as best player for di tournament. Although e no get Premier League or Champions League title, di World Cup win and individual honor put am for strong position.
Lamine Yamal, at 19 years old, don become star for Spain and Barcelona. E don win Euro 2024 and World Cup 2026 with Spain, plus two La Liga titles and oda trophies for Barcelona. For 2025-26 season, e score 16 goals and provide 12 assists for domestic league. E enter World Cup off injury but come alive for North America, providing assist for semifinal and being constant threat for final. Di young boy get chance to win im first Ballon d’Or, and if e win, e fit begin chase Messi record of eight.
Lionel Messi, di eight-time winner, no dey our previous list but im World Cup performance bring am back. Argentina lose final, but Messi still dey second favourite. E spend most of im year for MLS against lower competition, but e still show skill and determination for World Cup. E go finish as joint-top scorer if dem no count meaningless third-place playoff. Some pipo dey argue say sentiment fit play part, but Messi don earn am.
Harry Kane enter World Cup as favourite after scoring 31 goals for 2026. E score six goals for England wey reach semifinals, but e no score from Round of 16 onward. Some critics say e no rise to big occasions, but im goal tally fit still convince voters for year wey no get standout candidate.
Ousmane Dembélé, di reigning Ballon d’Or holder, don see im chances reduce after France lose to Spain for semifinal. E score six goals for tournament and win Champions League and Ligue 1 with PSG, but injuries affect im campaign.
Jude Bellingham prove im self for big occasions, with memorable performance against Mexico for round of 16. England again fail for latter stages, but im ability to affect games from deeper position dey impressive.
Michael Olise confirm im world-class status for France, but im worst game come for semifinal against Spain. Im club season for Bayern Munich dey top, with 22 goals and 31 assists, but Ballon d’Or still dey out of reach for now.
Kylian Mbappé finish as top scorer with 10 goals, but France failure for semifinal go likely make am miss di award again. Im club season for Real Madrid dey disappointing, so e need to show consistency for Champions League and La Liga.
