TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - With Spain crowned 2026 FIFA World Cup champions, attention has shifted from team glory to football's biggest individual prize: the Ballon d'Or.
According to Sports Illustrated (SI.com), the prestigious award will be presented on Oct. 26 in London, where the world's best players will gather to discover who will be recognized as the outstanding performer of the 2025-26 season.
Unlike previous editions, the race appears wide open. Success in the UEFA Champions League, domestic competitions, and the World Cup has produced several strong contenders, with no overwhelming favorite emerging ahead of the ceremony.
Here are the leading candidates to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or.
10. Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain/Spain)
PSG's Fabian Ruiz celebrates after scoring against Real Madrid in the 2025 Club World Cup. Photo: psg.fr.
Fabián Ruiz may not headline many Ballon d'Or discussions, but his résumé deserves attention.
The Spanish midfielder became the only player to win both the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA World Cup this year, lifting Europe's biggest club trophy with Paris Saint-Germain before helping Spain capture the world title.
Ruiz played a key role in PSG's Ligue 1-winning campaign despite injury setbacks and started the Champions League final against Arsenal, where his passing and composure helped control midfield.
He also featured prominently throughout Spain's World Cup campaign, including scoring the decisive opening goal in the quarterfinal victory over Belgium before starting the final against Argentina.
9. Erling Haaland (Manchester City/Norway)
Erling Haaland scored seven goals for Norway during the 2026 World Cup. Shutterstock
Norway's surprise run to the World Cup quarterfinals revived Erling Haaland's Ballon d'Or credentials.
The Manchester City striker scored seven goals during the tournament, including both goals in Norway's memorable round-of-16 victory over Brazil.
At club level, Haaland remained one of Europe's most prolific forwards, scoring 38 goals across all competitions despite City's failure to retain the Premier League title.
8. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid/England)
Jude Bellingham was one of England's most prolific players at the 2026 World Cup. The 23-year-old midfielder scored six goals. Shutterstock
Jude Bellingham endured an injury-hit season with Real Madrid, but his World Cup performances reminded everyone of his extraordinary talent.
The England midfielder scored seven goals during the tournament, including a dramatic winner against France in the third-place playoff, while consistently driving England's attack with powerful midfield runs and creative play.
Although England fell short of the title, Bellingham's individual displays strengthened his case among football's elite.
7. Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/France)
Michael Olise. Shutterstock
Michael Olise finished the World Cup as the tournament's top assist provider with seven assists, showcasing his creativity and precision throughout France's campaign.
His club form was equally impressive. The Bayern Munich winger scored 22 goals and delivered an extraordinary 31 assists while helping Bayern secure both the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles.
Olise was also named Bundesliga Player of the Season, although the absence of Champions League and World Cup success may limit his Ballon d'Or chances.
6. Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain/France)
Ousmane Dembele. Shutterstock
After winning the 2025 Ballon d'Or, Ousmane Dembélé continued to excel for Paris Saint-Germain.
The French forward scored 20 goals as PSG retained both the Ligue 1 and Champions League titles, including decisive goals against Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Arsenal during the European knockout rounds.
He also contributed six goals during France's World Cup campaign while often operating from wide attacking positions.
5. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid/France)
Kylian Mbappe. Shutterstock
Kylian Mbappé made World Cup history by winning the Golden Boot with 10 goals, becoming the tournament's all-time leading scorer with 22 World Cup goals.
Combined with 42 goals for Real Madrid during the season, Mbappé once again demonstrated why he remains one of football's most dangerous attackers.
However, Real Madrid ended the campaign without silverware, while France finished fourth at the World Cup, potentially weakening his Ballon d'Or case despite another prolific year.
4. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)
Harry Kane. Shutterstock
Harry Kane enjoyed arguably the finest goalscoring season of his career.
The Bayern Munich striker scored 61 goals across all competitions as the German giants completed a Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double.
Kane also scored six goals during England's run to the World Cup semifinals. Yet England's defeat to Argentina ultimately damaged both the team's hopes and Kane's chances of securing football's top individual honor.
3. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami/Argentina)
Lionel Messi. Shutterstock
Argentina failed to defend its World Cup crown, but Lionel Messi once again produced an exceptional tournament.
The veteran forward scored eight goals and provided four assists, including the decisive cross that helped Argentina defeat England in the semifinals.
At club level, Messi enjoyed another outstanding campaign, scoring 43 goals as Inter Miami captured their first-ever MLS Cup.
2. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain)
Lamine Yamal. Shutterstock
Although Lamine Yamal finished the World Cup with only one goal and one assist, his overall influence went far beyond statistics.
The 19-year-old repeatedly troubled defenders with fearless dribbling, incisive passing, and intelligent movement, playing a vital role in Spain's World Cup triumph.
His club performances were equally outstanding. Yamal helped Barcelona win consecutive La Liga titles while contributing 24 goals and 18 assists across all competitions, further cementing his status as one of football's brightest young stars.
1. Rodri (Manchester City/Spain)
Rodri. Shutterstock
Rodri has emerged as the leading favorite to reclaim the Ballon d'Or.
After overcoming a serious injury that disrupted much of his season, the Manchester City midfielder returned to his best during Spain's victorious World Cup campaign.
As Spain's midfield leader, Rodri dictated the tempo, protected the defense, and orchestrated attacks with remarkable composure. Spain conceded just one goal throughout the tournament—the fewest ever by a World Cup-winning team—and Rodri's performances earned him the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.
Having previously won the Ballon d'Or in 2024, Rodri now appears well-positioned to become a multiple-time winner if his World Cup heroics are enough to convince voters.
Read: Explained: How Footballers Are Selected for the Ballon d'Or
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