The latest ranking of the favorites to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or has been published, with Lionel Messi once again taking the lead and seen as the main candidate to win the prestigious individual trophy for the ninth time in his career.
According to the latest list, the Argentine star has benefited from his performances at the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina reached the final of the tournament.
After Messi, Spanish talent Lamine Yamal is in second place, and continues to be considered one of the strongest rivals for the award. Also on the podium of favorites is English striker Harry Kane, who holds third place.
In fourth position is Ousmane Dembele, while the top five is closed by Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe, who remains one of the main contenders for the most important individual award in football.
Also in the top ten candidates for the 2026 Ballon d'Or are: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Michael Olise, Pedri.
Messi's return to the top has further heated up the race for the trophy, with a strong duel between the experience of the Argentine champion and the new generation of stars like Yamal, Mbappe and Bellingham.
