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

[yixichloro2xx]

Really? World Cup performance shouldn't be used.
Go and do your research by ranking the list of the top 5 football tournaments used to select the Ballon d'Or winner in the exact order are;
FIFA World Cup
UEFA Champions League
UEFA European Championship
Copa América
FIFA Club World Cup
Therefore, you saying the World Cup performance shouldn't be used to select the winner is totally impossible, but Kane remains the people's favourite as the rightful person to win the Ballon d'Or, so i hope luck is on his side.

I agree with you. If the world cup performance wasn't important, the Modric and Messi wouldn't have won it . From my own view, if a player can perform very well in the world cup(by winning the world cup or wining the best player of the tournament) it gives them extra boost in their Ballon d'or chance. The world isn't some random tournament, it's is the greatest.  If I am to pick 2 among the candidates, I will go for Harry kane and Lamine Yamal. I have been watching Mbappe's interview where he is saying he feel like he is the clear winner of the Ballon d'or. That no player performed better than him last season. I love his confidence but it might not help, the two greatest players to win the Ballon d'or have never come out to speak about the winning the Ballon d'or. I am sure Real Madrid have a hand in Mbappe current outburst.

[danadc]

However, if someone is telling me that Osman Dembele is much better than Kilyan Mbappe then probably I will acknowledge it because Osman Dembele has won twice UEFA champions league title as well won 2 World Cup ans even won Balloon d'Or too. Despite Kilyan Mbappe has nothing except World Cup and Silver boosts.

If you put it that way, you're right, but considering that Spain won the World Cup and that the Ballon d'Or winner will be Spanish, it doesn't make sense to me. Does it make sense for the player who scored the most goals in the World Cup to win? Or does it make more sense for the player who won the Champions League but didn't win the World Cup or score any goals in the World Cup to win?

Now there's Messi, don't be surprised if he wins the Ballon d'Or. With that nomination, all the work of a player like Mbappé or Lamine doesn't count for much.

[nelson4lov]

I don't care for the fact that Harry Kane didn't win the UCL or the world cup. He still came very close on both counts since he finished both tournaments at semi-final places. There was nothing he could've done to influence the outcome of both losses because at the end of the day, football is a team sports so there's only so much he can actually do.

Lamal only on the basis of the Laliga title and the world cup (even though he had little goal / assist contributions.)

[EFS]

I think it would be fair for Kane to win, but I wouldn't be surprised if Yamal wins. I wouldn't call it undeserved either. This is probably Kane's best chance to win it considering his age. He may never have another season where he put up such high numbers. Yamal has many years ahead of him and will almost certainly win this award more than once though.

By the way, if Kane or Yamal wins, it will be the 5th time in a row that a different player has won the award. It's nice to see the award being distributed more organically after the Messi and Ronaldo rivalry. It keeps the excitement at a much higher level.

[igebotz]

I don't care for the fact that Harry Kane didn't win the UCL or the world cup. He still came very close on both counts since he finished both tournaments at semi-final places. There was nothing he could've done to influence the outcome of both losses because at the end of the day, football is a team sports so there's only so much he can actually do.

Lamal only on the basis of the Laliga title and the world cup (even though he had little goal / assist contributions.)

Lamal Is good for marketing purposes; he has the PR, came close last time with little to nothing to show for ( it was all Raphinna's efforts but he took all the credits for being young lol)  - it's been a popularity contest for a while now and Lamal has all of that and now + a WC winner medal.

We might see another extraordinary player go away without winning the balloon d'or- gotta feel sorry for Harry.

[KTChampions]

Lamal Is good for marketing purposes; he has the PR, came close last time with little to nothing to show for ( it was all Raphinna's efforts but he took all the credits for being young lol)  - it's been a popularity contest for a while now and Lamal has all of that and now + a WC winner medal.

We might see another extraordinary player go away without winning the balloon d'or- gotta feel sorry for Harry.

Yamal openly supports Palestine, he is certainly inconvenient for those trying to shape the narrative. Of course, he might have already sold his soul and will receive payment in return, but I hope not.
By the way, I saw on Twitter today that if Yamal wins the award, he will be the first recipient to have made neither the World Cup Team of the Tournament nor the Champions League Team of the Season. Will we see such an outcome? I highly doubt it.

[sotelorene]

I don't care for the fact that Harry Kane didn't win the UCL or the world cup. He still came very close on both counts since he finished both tournaments at semi-final places. There was nothing he could've done to influence the outcome of both losses because at the end of the day, football is a team sports so there's only so much he can actually do.

Lamal only on the basis of the Laliga title and the world cup (even though he had little goal / assist contributions.)

A friend of mine use to say that FIFA is bias that they have literally rigged everything which to some point is true or maybe we are the ones that are viewing or seeing the whole thing differently. Harry Kane is ahead of every other player as it stands but what we do not know is what we be used to measure this or what we be used to judge the award but I still think it would have make more sense if Harry Kane won either champions league or world cup.

[obuoma]

I don't care for the fact that Harry Kane didn't win the UCL or the world cup. He still came very close on both counts since he finished both tournaments at semi-final places. There was nothing he could've done to influence the outcome of both losses because at the end of the day, football is a team sports so there's only so much he can actually do.

Football is a team game but individuals are definitely assessed on the basis of trophies also for award such as Ballon D'or. My point is that, Harry Kane have an excellent record on individual contribution but that did not translate to major trophies beside the Bundesliga title so that will be a factor against him. Similarly, Kylan Mbappe have also done so well for himself especially in the world cup yet he still do not have a major trophy to justify his contribution else there would have been no point doubting if he would win the award. Lamine Yamal is the one that is outstanding in this line of thought.

Lamal only on the basis of the Laliga title and the world cup (even though he had little goal / assist contributions.)

I can see strong media backing of Yamal to win the Ballon D'or and judging by trophy, no other person is beat him on that. I will not be surprised if he is given the award but I would have preferred Mbappe or Harry Kane who have reached the peaks of their careers. Yamal is still young and has so many years ahead to win all the awards and trophies that he can get.

[sergiorus]

~snip~
We might see another extraordinary player go away without winning the balloon d'or- gotta feel sorry for Harry.

Would't be the first time... Lewandowski won the FIFA Best Player Of The Year Award two times in a row with absolutely fantastic seasons and they still didn't give him a Ballon d'Or.

As an award it lost all credibility long ago, it's only good to gamble on it.

And for what it's worth, Kane is still the favourite at about 60% chance to win (although he used to be at 67%) according to bookies.

[Adbitco]

Football is a team game but individuals are definitely assessed on the basis of trophies also for award such as Ballon D'or. My point is that, Harry Kane have an excellent record on individual contribution but that did not translate to major trophies beside the Bundesliga title so that will be a factor against him. Similarly, Kylan Mbappe have also done so well for himself especially in the world cup yet he still do not have a major trophy to justify his contribution else there would have been no point doubting if he would win the award. Lamine Yamal is the one that is outstanding in this line of thought.

The competition comes with its own bias every year because they seem to be changing criteria. It's  an individual award and players should be judged on that basis, winning a trophy is a team effort and there's no way a single individual can influence the matches all season long, a trophy is a team effort and if we are looking at trophies, many players also won the trophy being teammates. This Yamal we are talking about, he was only functional in the league where he won it and no other important trophy in club level, he was practically missing in the world cup and if not for other of his teams effort, he won't be found in the world cup players conversation. Unlike some other players that were actively involved with their various teams across all competitions but didn't win it. Mbappe was well involved in all competitions but didn't any trophy. How about Harry kane who was also involved and won the league, but you disqualified him because he didn't win the WC! Funny how, Ruben Neves isn't even in the conversation because he didn't perform in the WC same performance Yamal didn't give in the WC but because his team won it, his been tipped to win the award.

[suzanne5223]

Really? World Cup performance shouldn't be used.
Go and do your research by ranking the list of the top 5 football tournaments used to select the Ballon d'Or winner in the exact order are;
FIFA World Cup
UEFA Champions League
UEFA European Championship
Copa América
FIFA Club World Cup
Therefore, you saying the World Cup performance shouldn't be used to select the winner is totally impossible, but Kane remains the people's favourite as the rightful person to win the Ballon d'Or, so i hope luck is on his side.

I agree with you. If the world cup performance wasn't important, the Modric and Messi wouldn't have won it . From my own view, if a player can perform very well in the world cup(by winning the world cup or wining the best player of the tournament) it gives them extra boost in their Ballon d'or chance. The world isn't some random tournament, it's is the greatest.  If I am to pick 2 among the candidates, I will go for Harry kane and Lamine Yamal. I have been watching Mbappe's interview where he is saying he feel like he is the clear winner of the Ballon d'or. That no player performed better than him last season. I love his confidence but it might not help, the two greatest players to win the Ballon d'or have never come out to speak about the winning the Ballon d'or. I am sure Real Madrid have a hand in Mbappe current outburst.

Thank you.
Because some people seems to underestimate the potential and the dominion the World cup tournament has in football when they are wishing the world cup performance wont be use to select the 2026 Ballon d'Or winner when it's also the tournament most use to sell themselve before the next transfer market is open.
About Mbappe's interview, I don't have the chance to see and I don't know what gave him the impression of the statement he made, but what i know is that Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal are the most favourite the win the Ballon d'Or

[Rhow]

I don't care for the fact that Harry Kane didn't win the UCL or the world cup. He still came very close on both counts since he finished both tournaments at semi-final places. There was nothing he could've done to influence the outcome of both losses because at the end of the day, football is a team sports so there's only so much he can actually do.

Lamal only on the basis of the Laliga title and the world cup (even though he had little goal / assist contributions.)

Have you noticed that despite Harry Kane being one of the best strikers in the world for many years, he lags behind other strikers in terms of individual awards. I think his claim should not be ignored, as he regularly scores goals, leads and makes the difference in important matches for Bayern Munich and England.

I have a different view on Lamine Yamal. Not only did he win the World Cup, but he also consistently performed for Barcelona and had a huge impact in important matches. I even personally support Lamine Yamal. Because his consistency and style of play seem quite attractive to me.

[Luzin]

but what i know is that Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal are the most favourite the win the Ballon d'Or

Of all the potential winners, I think realistically for a one-year period with complete achievements, it would be Lamine Yamal. Although he is still young, he has already been the driving force for Spain to win the World Cup. Yamal also plays exceptionally well for Barcelona at a young age. In second place might be Mbappe, with Harry Kane in third. This is just my version there may be differences, which is perfectly normal. The voting deadline is still until September 28, 2026.

[Byebyebtc]

Do you know that regardless of who even wins the balloon d'Or, fans will still react negatively..

Kane - Had good club performance but his impact in the world cup wasn't significant enough compared to the other contenders from England

Mbappé - Had a good performance with club and country, but didn't get any trophy

Dembélé - Had a good performance both country and club, but didn't play as much as the other contenders

Kvaratskhelia - performed well in club but wasn't in world cup

Messi - had an outstanding performance but didn't win as much trophies

Olise - had a great performance, but impact in world cup wasn't significant as well

Gone are the either Messi or Ronaldo era, giving balloon d'Or is getting harder as generations goes by.
So to me who ever wins it doesn't really deserve it totally if they will be compared to the other contenders, but we will have to accept it anyways.
One as their part and laks that part, why another has that part and lacks this part, no balance on this one..

[igebotz]

And for what it's worth, Kane is still the favourite at about 60% chance to win (although he used to be at 67%) according to bookies.

Where do you see this one from? Most of the stats online are fake and compromised, all looking for cheap likes and views.
Ballon d'or award usually go to a WC winner in a WC year..

[sergiorus]

And for what it's worth, Kane is still the favourite at about 60% chance to win (although he used to be at 67%) according to bookies.

Where do you see this one from? Most of the stats online are fake and compromised, all looking for cheap likes and views.
Ballon d'or award usually go to a WC winner in a WC year..

I track it on Polymarket [1] because it's a very liquid market there with more than $35 million volume traded by now. Other bookmakers have similar odds, from what I've seen.

As per the WC winners... Apart from Messi in 2023, the last time the Ballon d'Or Award receiver was a WC winner was exactly 20 years ago, in 2006, when Fabio Cannavaro was awarded it after beating Zidane's France in the final match of the World Cup.

I suppose the market doesn't see any Spanish player deserving it this time and are increasingly pricing Harry Kane's victory in. Of course, these are just speculations for now.



[1] https://polymarket.com/event/ballon-dor-winner-2026

[KTChampions]

And for what it's worth, Kane is still the favourite at about 60% chance to win (although he used to be at 67%) according to bookies.

Where do you see this one from? Most of the stats online are fake and compromised, all looking for cheap likes and views.
Ballon d'or award usually go to a WC winner in a WC year..

I think he means Polymarket, you see, Kane's odds there peaked at around 67%+. They have now dropped to 60%. Incidentally, I don't see a drop at traditional bookmakers - the odds there remain at 1.66 after rising from 2.0. Yamal gave some stupid interview the other day where he said he ought to win the award (claiming he’s the youngest player to have achieved so much in modern era), I’m not sure that will boost his chances, it might actually do the opposite.

[obuoma]

And for what it's worth, Kane is still the favourite at about 60% chance to win (although he used to be at 67%) according to bookies.

Where do you see this one from? Most of the stats online are fake and compromised, all looking for cheap likes and views.
Ballon d'or award usually go to a WC winner in a WC year..

For many years a world cup winner have won the Ballon D'or like you rightly stated but there were some years it did not work like that. For instance, in 2022 Argentina won the world cup but Karim Benzema won the Ballon D'or. In 2018 France won the world cup but Luka Modric won the Ballon D'or. Also in 2014 Germany won the world cup but Cristiano Ronaldo won the Ballon D'or. Even in 2010 when Spain won the world cup hosted in South Africa, Lionel Messi won the Ballon D'or. So these are the exceptions to your theory which means Lamine Yamal may still not win the award this year.

[Oluwa-btc]

Where do you see this one from? Most of the stats online are fake and compromised, all looking for cheap likes and views.
Ballon d'or award usually go to a WC winner in a WC year..

If this how they do it, then why not give the award to Fabian Ruiz?! That guy has literally won every trophy to be won last season and their manager Luis Enrique also shares the same thoughts. If they can give to Modric and Rodri in the past, then Fabian Ruiz deserves it more.

[GbitG]

.....

If you put it that way, you're right, but considering that Spain won the World Cup and that the Ballon d'Or winner will be Spanish, it doesn't make sense to me. Does it make sense for the player who scored the most goals in the World Cup to win? Or does it make more sense for the player who won the Champions League but didn't win the World Cup or score any goals in the World Cup to win?

Now there's Messi, don't be surprised if he wins the Ballon d'Or. With that nomination, all the work of a player like Mbappé or Lamine doesn't count for much.

Did you know France football give more perority to World Cup winner like it's a prestigious trophy and in 4 years once a time it happens. So that's why they are giving it more perority. So right now Lamine Jamal is winners and he also has good club performance like at club he won league title as well as Super Cup. So that's why I think they will pick Lamine Jamal.....

Thus far Harry Kane also have good chance because he ha a good individual performance at club level as well in World Cup  he also made a good touch. So maybe he could also got pick for winner. But in my opinion Lamine Jamal is much favorite candidate. Let's see what happens next.