Arsenal's Declan Rice admits Ballon d'Or contender talk is 'unreal' - 'You want to be involved in those conversations'
Published 26/02/2026 at 15:41 GMT
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Not since 2001 has an English player won the Ballon d'Or, when a 22-year-old Michael Owen was named the best player in Europe. Many expect Harry Kane to be the next Englishman to win the prestigious award, but Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has emerged as a legitimate contender. The 27-year-old has addressed talk of a Ballon d'Or, and revealed free-kick discussions with David Beckham.
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Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has admitted talk of a potential Ballon d'Or is "unreal".
The England international has been in exceptional form this season, playing a key role in his side's Premier League title challenge.
He has also impressed in the UEFA Champions League, while a quadruple remains a possibility with Arsenal in the Emirates FA Cup fifth round and Carabao Cup final.
Rice has scored four goals and registered eight assists across all competitions for The Gunners this season, earning plaudits for his set-piece delivery.
And he has been mentioned alongside the likes of Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal and Erling Haaland as a contender for the 2026 Ballon d'Or.
"It's unreal, obviously," Rice said in an interview with The Sun. "You want to be involved in those conversations, they're the right ones to be involved in.
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"It's such a long way away because I need to keep playing well and maintaining this level. But also, you see the recent Ballon d'Or winners, what they've won during their season.
"Hopefully we can have a successful season and I can be involved in those conversations - that would be amazing. If not, that's not something I'm setting my eye on. I really want the team to do well first.
"We're lucky enough to be in every conversation at this stage of the season. So many big teams have been knocked out already. We've put ourselves in a really strong position to go forward."
Asked whether he expected to reach such heights from a young age, Rice said: "I always believed in myself, always knew I had ability.
"What set me apart from others was that I had the heart, the desire, I was a really good listener.
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"Even if one of my coaches told me off I wouldn't go home and complain to my mum and dad about it, I'd take it on the chin and improve.
"I didn't know I would be going on to do what I'm doing. Once you start in football you never know your journey, but if you can stay consistent, believe in your own pathway and believe in yourself, that can take you anywhere.
"Luckily enough, every season I've got better and better, and it's taken me to this position. I still think I can get a lot better than where I currently am. I just need to keep going."
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Rice reveals Beckham conversation
Amongst the highlights of Rice's Arsenal career so far was his brace in last season's UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg victory over Real Madrid.
Both goals were spectacular free-kicks - the first he had ever scored - and that quality from dead-ball situations has since become a major weapon for The Gunners.
Rice's free-kicks against Real Madrid were so eye-catching that he even received praise from a set-piece master in David Beckham.
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"He messaged me on Instagram about it," Rice said. "I remember the first time I met Beckham was in Qatar, and I think we all approached him, every player, like he was a god... it's Becks.
"I remember him talking about the free-kick. I don't remember exactly what he said but he definitely messaged, so I was happy with that."
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