Arsenal and England star Declan Rice honoured to be in Ballon d'Or contention - 'I'm just Dec from Kingston'

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Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice has spoken about the honour of being mentioned among the potential Ballon d'Or winners, amid a season in which he has been influential for Mikel Arteta's Premier League and UEFA Champions League leaders. Rice netted an impressive brace against Bournemouth, with Arsenal looking to end their recent trend of being the top-flight's runners-up.

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Declan Rice said claims about him being in Ballon d'Or contention are the "right conversations to be in" as the midfielder continues to impress in Arsenal's Premier League title push.

Rice has received widespread praise this season for the regularity of his match-defining performances - a dependable option for Mikel Arteta, having missed just two matches so far this term, contributing four goals and seven assists.

The 26-year-old's impressive brace against Bournemouth on Saturday further showcased his attacking qualities, alongside his accomplished ball-winning abilities, and he has appeared to grow in stature following the summer arrival of Martin Zubimendi.

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Arsenal could open an eight-point gap on second-place Manchester City if victorious against Liverpool on Thursday, while also leading the 36-team UEFA Champions League standings and reaching the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup - representing a tangible chance of winning their first major trophy since the 2019/20 FA Cup, and the English top-flight for the first time since 2004.

With the upcoming World Cup, taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico in the summer, Rice also has the opportunity for silverware with England, an outcome which would significantly boost his chances of being named the 2026 Ballon d'Or winner.

Referring to his birthplace, Rice responded to the Ballon d'Or claims by saying to Sky Sports: "I'm just Dec from Kingston, ain't I?"

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He added: "Look, they're the right conversations to be in. Arsenal fans really appreciate what I'm doing for them at the minute and it was West Ham fans before that, they were singing my praises.

"When you're being compared to the best players in the world it's nice, so long may that continue. It shows you're playing well, and you want to play at the highest level."

Rice placed 27th in the 2025 Ballon d'Or rankings, following a season in which he played a key role in Arsenal's second-placed league finish alongside reaching the Champions League semi-finals - memorably netting a stunning free-kick brace against Real Madrid to reach that stage.

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When Arsenal boss Arteta was asked whether he considers Rice among the best players in the world in his position, he replied: "For me, yes.

"Declan is constantly adding things to his game, and his role in the team, and I don't see where he can stop because he can still improve in a lot of areas and he wants to improve."

Ousmane Dembele won the 2025 Ballon d'Or following a remarkable campaign in which his 32 goals and 15 assists helped Paris Saint-Germain to win Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and a maiden Champions League.

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An English player has not won the honour since Michael Owen in 2001, and depending on the victors of major trophies this season, Rice could be rivalled by the likes of Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and compatriot Harry Kane for the golden ball - with the three strikers notching remarkable goalscoring returns so far this campaign.

Following Thursday's match against Liverpool, Arsenal get their FA Cup campaign underway against Championship side Portsmouth on Sunday - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

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