‎Who will win the 2026 Ballon D'or? 🏆⚽

[HyperCodexV]

Ronaldo is probably going to win this B.O.A.T fan poll and the way the stats are coming up and the way it is being talked about on social media by the fans, it will be a landslide gap between him and Messi.

Cr7's 2008 season, which was one of the best individual seasons a player can ever dream of is getting most of the votes and messi's own are mostly split across different years. Another thing is that Ronaldo's fans are like an army and they are treating the voting like a mission.

[IceLincoln]

I really don’t understand why Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal is fighting over the Ballon D’Or, I think the best players in the World doesn’t need campaign to win this accolade, when Messi and Ronaldo was winning the award it was for their performance in the season, but I must say the both player who are fighting for this accolade doesn’t deserve to win it, Mbappe didn’t do enough to win this award, and Lamine Yamal didn’t do enough to win this award. Let’s take away sentiment, Rodri is the player that deserves to win this award, considering his performance at the World Cup, where he won the best player at the just concluded World Cup, if I have an opportunity to vote I will definitely vote for Rodri, because he is an all around player who is the backbone of his team, Spain wouldn’t have won the World Cup without Rodri, Lamine Yamal wasn’t even performing well at the World Cup, I wonder why Mbappe and Yamal are fighting over an accolade they do not deserve, Messi stand a better chance of winning this award compared to this guys fighting with words and Campaign. My top two is Rodri and Messi to win this Ballon D’Or.

My friend, you often have a mind of your own and an opinion far different from the general consensus. What performance does Rodri have to include him in the Ballon D’or for the year or are you using only the World Cup to judge? Even the World Cup if we’re honest to ourselves he didn’t do more than any midfielder in that Spanish squad and Spain would have won the World Cup with or without him. Messi would have been a contender if he had won the World Cup but he didn’t… I’m not sure he’s going to make top five.
Spain winning the World Cup was a collective effort and Lamine Yamal did his bid and was good at it. People keep judging him by G/A. Mbappe was top scorer for 3 top competitions, he would have been the best candidate if he had a trophy.

[danadc]

So what you're saying is a person should be given the balon dor simply because he was the highest goal scorer in the world cup? If the goals meant that much even though he did not get to the final, why didn't they give him the best player in the world cup? You just like Mbappe and that is fine, but to win the balon dor, he needs to deliver some silverware for his teams. He plays for two of the best teams in the world so he doesn't have an excuse not to. I never said goals are pointless, neither did I say they do not carry weight. But scoring goals and not winning a single trophy all season, even in a world cup year reduces your chances of winning the balon d'or.

I know there are other criteria for weight, but this year it coincided with the World Cup, isn't that enough to give it more importance? Because if not, they should give it to Messi since he's the one nominated. If we put him on a scale with all the other nominated players, he's the greatest of them all.

Then it wouldn't matter if they won the World Cup or their league, no, the player who stands out the most is the one who scores the most goals, right? Because there are many who do incredible things, but I still think I'll be disappointed with whoever they choose this year.

[KTChampions]

In this forum there are users who probably only watched a few football games during the World Cup and that's it, they have no idea what to write but yet they have to reach a certain number of posts so they just write nonsense stuff. Spain won the World Cup? Rodri was the captain? Great! Messi scored a lot of goals against Tunisia, Jordan, and other weak teams? Who cares, that's enough to win the Golden Ball!
The simple idea to propose as Golden Ball winner a player who plays in the MLS is an insult to the football world.

Hehe, that’s about right. But you know, in any unclear situation, it makes sense to bet on Messi, since he has a long history of receiving "strange" awards and close friendships (or at least favoritism from) officials who influence the distribution of awards. If a person doesn't follow football, then for him there is essentially no difference between the Spanish/Italian championship or the Mickey Mouse League.
I’m glad that in two days we’ll finally know the winner, but we should brace ourselves for a shitstorm of arguments over whether the award was deserved or not; I suspect Yamal’s fans will be tormenting everyone else for a long time to come 

[Brizi5000]

In this forum there are users who probably only watched a few football games during the World Cup and that's it, they have no idea what to write but yet they have to reach a certain number of posts so they just write nonsense stuff. Spain won the World Cup? Rodri was the captain? Great! Messi scored a lot of goals against Tunisia, Jordan, and other weak teams? Who cares, that's enough to win the Golden Ball!
The simple idea to propose as Golden Ball winner a player who plays in the MLS is an insult to the football world.

Hehe, that’s about right. But you know, in any unclear situation, it makes sense to bet on Messi, since he has a long history of receiving "strange" awards and close friendships (or at least favoritism from) officials who influence the distribution of awards. If a person doesn't follow football, then for him there is essentially no difference between the Spanish/Italian championship or the Mickey Mouse League.
I’m glad that in two days we’ll finally know the winner, but we should brace ourselves for a shitstorm of arguments over whether the award was deserved or not; I suspect Yamal’s fans will be tormenting everyone else for a long time to come 

Lots of controversies in this year’s Balon Dior award, two individuals Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe with the highest fan base favoring either of them to win the award and i think at this point in time if any one amongst the two of them eventually gets to win, it will cause a series of arguments among fans over whether the person who was crowned the winner merited it or it’s a form of favoritism by officials who influence the award just like the days of C. Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Harry Kane did well to win this awards and if he eventually wins it I don’t think there’s going to be too much of doubt among football fans as to whether he deserves it or not because I think he clearly deserves it, Even the two other top contenders Mbappe and Lamine yamal they knows that.

[Gentle_Soul]

I really don’t understand why Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal is fighting over the Ballon D’Or, I think the best players in the World doesn’t need campaign to win this accolade, when Messi and Ronaldo was winning the award it was for their performance in the season, but I must say the both player who are fighting for this accolade doesn’t deserve to win it, Mbappe didn’t do enough to win this award, and Lamine Yamal didn’t do enough to win this award. Let’s take away sentiment, Rodri is the player that deserves to win this award, considering his performance at the World Cup, where he won the best player at the just concluded World Cup, if I have an opportunity to vote I will definitely vote for Rodri, because he is an all around player who is the backbone of his team, Spain wouldn’t have won the World Cup without Rodri, Lamine Yamal wasn’t even performing well at the World Cup, I wonder why Mbappe and Yamal are fighting over an accolade they do not deserve, Messi stand a better chance of winning this award compared to this guys fighting with words and Campaign. My top two is Rodri and Messi to win this Ballon D’Or.

My friend, you often have a mind of your own and an opinion far different from the general consensus. What performance does Rodri have to include him in the Ballon D’or for the year or are you using only the World Cup to judge? Even the World Cup if we’re honest to ourselves he didn’t do more than any midfielder in that Spanish squad and Spain would have won the World Cup with or without him. Messi would have been a contender if he had won the World Cup but he didn’t… I’m not sure he’s going to make top five.
Spain winning the World Cup was a collective effort and Lamine Yamal did his bid and was good at it. People keep judging him by G/A. Mbappe was top scorer for 3 top competitions, he would have been the best candidate if he had a trophy.

To be honest I really do not like how the whole process and means of chosing this balloon D'or most times I feel like there are no fair and just means in this entire process, yes I know that the fans play a vital role by there votes but then most times the fans vote sentimentally because for a core Ronaldo fan the moment Ronaldo is list for balloon D,or he becomes there option irrespective of his performance and input in the season. Ronaldo is good I know but then if you ask me I just want someone else away from Messi and Ronaldo because got a while now it has just been rotating between them and I don't question if the merit it or not but I feel like I need someone else away from Messi and Ronaldo.

[sergiorus]

I really don’t understand why Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal is fighting over the Ballon D’Or, I think the best players in the World doesn’t need campaign to win this accolade, when Messi and Ronaldo was winning the award it was for their performance in the season, but I must say the both player who are fighting for this accolade doesn’t deserve to win it, Mbappe didn’t do enough to win this award, and Lamine Yamal didn’t do enough to win this award. Let’s take away sentiment, Rodri is the player that deserves to win this award, considering his performance at the World Cup, where he won the best player at the just concluded World Cup, if I have an opportunity to vote I will definitely vote for Rodri, because he is an all around player who is the backbone of his team, Spain wouldn’t have won the World Cup without Rodri, Lamine Yamal wasn’t even performing well at the World Cup, I wonder why Mbappe and Yamal are fighting over an accolade they do not deserve, Messi stand a better chance of winning this award compared to this guys fighting with words and Campaign. My top two is Rodri and Messi to win this Ballon D’Or.

My friend, what did Rodri and Messi actually do last year to make them your top two candidates for the Ballon d'Or?
Why these two when there’s Kane? If Kane doesn't win it, it would be a surprise regardless of who else takes it. Yamal didn't do anything extraordinary for Barcelona last year.
Rodri spent most of the beginning of the season injured and didn't really achieve anything with his club either. As for Messi, if it weren't for the referees favoring him so heavily during the World Cup, he wouldn't have even reached the final.
Aside from Kane, it would be a surprise if anyone else won it.

In this forum there are users who probably only watched a few football games during the World Cup and that's it, they have no idea what to write but yet they have to reach a certain number of posts so they just write nonsense stuff. Spain won the World Cup? Rodri was the captain? Great! Messi scored a lot of goals against Tunisia, Jordan, and other weak teams? Who cares, that's enough to win the Golden Ball!
The simple idea to propose as Golden Ball winner a player who plays in the MLS is an insult to the football world.

Well Rodri was given the Best Player of the World Cup award and was absolutely crucial for Spain's success.

In my opinion he deserves the Ballon d'Or, his season at Man City wasn't even that bad if we're being honest although I'm glad he's not gonna win because it will once again expose the hypocrisy of FIFA's lapdog journalists who are the majority of the voting power in the award.

Like, when Messi had an awful club season but it just so happened that Argentina won the WC in 2022 and he was given the Best Player award (just like Rodri in the last WC) - all of them were synchronically shouting how much Messi deserved the Ballon d'Or but now when Rodri is in exactly the same situation (frankly, even a bit better one) he's not even being considered.

[Showlove01]

My friend, you often have a mind of your own and an opinion far different from the general consensus. What performance does Rodri have to include him in the Ballon D’or for the year or are you using only the World Cup to judge? Even the World Cup if we’re honest to ourselves he didn’t do more than any midfielder in that Spanish squad and Spain would have won the World Cup with or without him. Messi would have been a contender if he had won the World Cup but he didn’t… I’m not sure he’s going to make top five.
Spain winning the World Cup was a collective effort and Lamine Yamal did his bid and was good at it. People keep judging him by G/A. Mbappe was top scorer for 3 top competitions, he would have been the best candidate if he had a trophy.

You are right, Rodri is a good midfielder but he did not have enough statistics that would have given him the award unlike some other players that are contending for the award though he has some trophies. However, if the award will be given based on major trophies winner i think you should not have mention Mbappe because the dude did not have any major trophy for seasons now but i still do not know the criteria or features that will qualify one in winning the award because Harry kane, Mbappe and Lamine Yamal has their differences.

[Curious T]

I know there are other criteria for weight, but this year it coincided with the World Cup; isn't that enough to give it more importance? Because if not, they should give it to Messi since he's the one nominated. If we put him on a scale with all the other nominated players, he's the greatest of them all.

Then it wouldn't matter if they won the World Cup or their league, no, the player who stands out the most is the one who scores the most goals, right? Because there are many who do incredible things, but I still think I'll be disappointed with whoever they choose this year.

No, the player who scores the most goals is not necessarily the player who stands out the most. How do you even watch football for you to think the person who scores the most goals is always the player who stands out the most? A lot of things are considered when looking at the player who stands out the most. If it were that way, then midfielders and wingers who don't score goals wouldn't stand a chance.

Since you already know that other criteria are involved, then there is no need to even have this debate. Mbappe scored goals, but he was not the best players last season. if he has won the world cup, and won the best player of the world cup, then things would have been different. But he did not win any of those. How could he not lead his team to even a League Cup? Simply because he scored the most goals, he should be crowned as the best player in the world.

[Juicyhome]

You are right, Rodri is a good midfielder but he did not have enough statistics that would have given him the award unlike some other players that are contending for the award though he has some trophies. However, if the award will be given based on major trophies winner i think you should not have mention Mbappe because the dude did not have any major trophy for seasons now but i still do not know the criteria or features that will qualify one in winning the award because Harry kane, Mbappe and Lamine Yamal has their differences.

Rodri has the only award he will win this year during the world cup,  as player of the tournament,  he's on even tip five on the Ballon d'Or list, he hasn't done much in his club this season and even last season,  he should not even talk about him in this conversation. My favorite to win was Michael Olise,  he's the best for me, a big game player, top assist at the word cup and an outstanding performaned for both club and country, he deserved to be crowd Ballon d'Or winner, with what am seeing it could be Harry Kane, he's has been on the media for weeks,  he's most promoted by the English media houses,  Mbappe didn't win major trophy last season,  he's favorite he played well last season,  he's a phenomeno player too. Yamal can't win, he performanced badly in the world and he disappeared during top champions league games, he won't win this year. But he has a promising future.

[Charcol]

My friend, you often have a mind of your own and an opinion far different from the general consensus. What performance does Rodri have to include him in the Ballon D’or for the year or are you using only the World Cup to judge? Even the World Cup if we’re honest to ourselves he didn’t do more than any midfielder in that Spanish squad and Spain would have won the World Cup with or without him. Messi would have been a contender if he had won the World Cup but he didn’t… I’m not sure he’s going to make top five.
Spain winning the World Cup was a collective effort and Lamine Yamal did his bid and was good at it. People keep judging him by G/A. Mbappe was top scorer for 3 top competitions, he would have been the best candidate if he had a trophy.

You are right, Rodri is a good midfielder but he did not have enough statistics that would have given him the award unlike some other players that are contending for the award though he has some trophies. However, if the award will be given based on major trophies winner i think you should not have mention Mbappe because the dude did not have any major trophy for seasons now but i still do not know the criteria or features that will qualify one in winning the award because Harry kane, Mbappe and Lamine Yamal has their differences.

It is absurd to say that Mbappe is out of the discussion. Since individual performance is given importance in giving the award, I think it is absurd to leave him out. Does Mbappe know the record of the 2026 World Cup? He played 8 matches in the World Cup and scored 10 goals, which is more than Messi. That is why he won the Golden Boot. I agree that his team France could not win, but his individual performance was incredible and deserves the award.

Again, Rodri was a big contribution to Spain's World Cup victory. He even won the Golden Ball of the competition. But since Rodri is a midfielder, his performance cannot be judged only by goals.

[famososMuertos]

:://:::

The "Boat" is something the organizers have pulled out of their hats; primarily to stir up controversy, or rather, to boost the audience for one of the most highly anticipated Ballon d'Or awards in years... surpassing even the Messi-CR7 era. Journalists are supposed to be impartial, and they should possess the kind of sound judgment that isn't reflected in a voting process like the "Boat." In fact, it would be interesting if, in the future, a vote of this nature were to award a point to a candidate, which would then be factored into the final tally alongside the simple vote cast by the journalists.