London becomes the center of attention in world football tonight, as the 2026 Ballon d'Or awards ceremony takes place. Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe are among the main favorites for the most prestigious individual award in football, while Lionel Messi attracts attention for his high statistics and ratings.
Lamine Yamal is coming off a successful season with Barcelona and the Spanish national team. According to published statistics, in 57 appearances he has scored 25 goals and provided 20 assists, earning an average SofaScore rating of 7.83.
Also in the running is England striker Harry Kane, who has had a remarkable season with Bayern Munich. He recorded 73 goals and eight assists in 65 appearances, while his average SofaScore rating was 7.79.
Kylian Mbappe is another strong candidate. Although he failed to win a trophy with Real Madrid or France, the French forward stood out with his individual statistics. In 60 appearances, he scored 58 goals and registered 13 assists, with an average rating of 7.74 on SofaScore.
However, the highest rated player among the names mentioned is Lionel Messi. The Argentine star, who plays for Inter Miami, has recorded 45 goals and 30 assists in 49 appearances, earning an average rating of 8.85 from SofaScore.
This year's ceremony takes place in London and marks the 70th edition of the Ballon d'Or award. The winner will be determined by votes from selected journalists, who evaluate individual performances, contribution to team success and sporting conduct. Until the official announcement, the favorites remain awaiting the final decision.
