Ballon d'Or 2026 Power Rankings: Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Lamine Yamal, Bruno Fernandes in mix for prestigious award
Published 30/04/2026 at 11:09 GMT+1
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It might seem like a long way off but there is 2026 Ballon d’Or talk in the air.
Highlights: PSG beat Bayern in wild nine-goal epic
Video credit: TNT Sports
It has been fuelled, in part, by the dazzling attacking display on show in Paris Saint-Germain’s 5-4 UEFA Champions League semi-final first-leg win over Bayern Munich.
A number of leading Ballon d’Or contenders played their own role in the thrilling match, including Bayern and England striker Harry Kane, and last year's winner, Ousmane Dembele.
Michael Olise also boosted his case, but will this year's winner come from Bayern, PSG, or another club?
Performances at the FIFA World Cup could have a significant say.
So far, there have been six World Cups this century and in those years, a player from the winning country has won the Ballon d'Or exactly half the time - Ronaldo in 2002, Fabio Cannavaro in 2006, and Lionel Messi in 2023.
So, six months out from the awarding of the 2026 Ballon d’Or, who are the current top contenders?
10. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr and Portugal)
Really? Cristiano Ronaldo, aged 41 and playing in Saudi Arabia, winning a sixth Ballon d’Or?
Okay, it’s unlikely, but his case could grow over the next few months.
Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr are in pole position to win the Saudi Pro League and are in contention to win the AFC Champions League Two (the second-tier competition of Asian club football). He’s netted 27 goals in 32 games this season.
But the most significant boost could come in the summer.
Imagine: Ronaldo scores his 1000th career goal at the World Cup (he needs 30 more as it stands) and helps Portugal to glory, becoming the oldest winner of the trophy.
He might have a case...
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‘He was a pioneer’ – Madueke on inspiration from Ronaldo’s spell at Man Utd
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9. Vitinha (PSG and Portugal)
Vitinha was hailed as the next Ballon d’Or winner by former Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank in November after starring with three goals in a 5-3 win for Paris Saint-Germain.
He has continued to be an integral player for PSG this season, as shown by his incredible number of passes in the Champions League - he leads the way with 1506 pass attempts, with Aleksandar Pavlovic in second with 1093.
But since his treble against Spurs, he has scored just two goals and his metronomic passing might not be enough to get on the Ballon d’Or podium again this year, even if PSG win the Champions League and Portugal go far at the World Cup.
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Highlights: Vitinha stars with hat-trick as PSG overcome Spurs in eight-goal epic
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8. Erling Haaland (Man City and Norway)
By his own sky-high standards of the past few seasons, Erling Haaland has had a dip in form.
The goals were flowing freely at the start of the campaign but dried up after Christmas, with just one from open play in 12 appearances in all competitions.
Still, Haaland leads the way in the Premier League scoring table with 24 goals in total and in all competitions he has bagged 35 in 48 appearances.
Not bad going, and it could still be a very successful season for Manchester City if they win the domestic treble. Haaland will then have the chance to shine on the biggest stage this summer as Norway play at the World Cup.
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Highlights: Haaland hat-trick sends Man City to Wembley after Liverpool thrashing
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7. Ousmane Dembele (PSG and France)
Just 19 Ligue 1 appearances this season, and yet still one of the favourites for the Ballon d'Or?
It seems improbable and Ousmane Dembele has not got close to the same incredible numbers (37 goals and 15 assists) that saw him win last year’s award.
Dembele has just 18 goals and 10 assists this season as he bids to become the first player since Lionel Messi in 2021 to win the Ballon d'Or back-to-back.
He has shown his quality in the big games with two goals against Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-finals and then two against Bayern Munich in the first leg of the semi-final.
Those kinds of displays count for plenty and another Champions League title and success with France at the World Cup will lift Dembele’s chances.
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Dembele grabs his second goal - PSG's fifth - with 'brilliant' finish off post
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6. Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd and Portugal)
With 19 assists to his name and four games to play, Bruno Fernandes needs just two more to break the record for the most in a Premier League season.
He is the favourite to win the Premier League Player of the Year award and has been one of the most important players for any club this campaign.
But with Manchester United not being in Europe and failing to compete for any silverware, will even a good World Cup with Portugal be enough to get him in the Ballon d’Or podium mix?
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‘He’s the Player of the Year’ – Cunha tips Fernandes for Premier League award
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5. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid and France)
Kylian Mbappe has been excellent for Real Madrid this season, scoring 41 goals in 41 appearances.
But a bucketload of goals is probably not enough to mark him as a top Ballon d’Or favourite.
Madrid have won no silverware this season, look unlikely to win La Liga, and only had a quarter-final run in the Champions League.
If Mbappe continues to score freely at the World Cup and fires France to glory, then his chances of success improve greatly.
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Madrid face 'massive conundrum' around Mbappe, Vinicius and Bellingham
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4. Declan Rice (Arsenal and England)
How much of Declan Rice’s Ballon d’Or hopes rests on how many trophies Arsenal win this season?
You would think plenty.
Rice has been a key player this season for the Gunners but doesn't have the same standout collection of individual moments as some of the other top contenders on this list.
Trophies matter in the Ballon d'Or voting, though, and Arsenal are seeking to lift the Premier League and Champions League.
Rice will also be integral for England this summer at the World Cup.
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Rice reacts to 'amazing' touch map and reflects on feeling limited at centre-back
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3. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain)
With Lamine Yamal missing the end of the club season because of a hamstring injury, his place in the top three is a little precarious.
If he doesn’t play for Spain at the World Cup, that will probably end his hopes of winning the Ballon d’Or.
If he does play and impresses, then he should be in the mix.
Yamal, who finished second in 2025, racked up an impressive 24 goals and 18 assists in all competitions for Barcelona, who look set to win La Liga this season.
2. Michael Olise (Bayern Munich and France)
In the words of former Ballon d’Or winner Luis Figo, Michael Olise is having an ”incredible year”.
The London-born France international's goal contribution numbers are hugely impressive (20 goals and 29 assists in 47 appearances in all competitions) and he has produced several standout moments, including a fine individual goal against PSG in the semi-final first leg.
Olise’s case has been growing over the last few weeks as the season has entered the business end.
Champions League and World Cup success would really see Olise in the mix.
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'STUNNING!' – Brilliant Olise scores superb equaliser
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1. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich and England)
Harry Kane is the current favourite for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
How could he not be with 54 goals in 46 games this season?
But Kane’s chances could hinge on how much silverware he wins.
If Bayern don’t win the Champions League and England don’t lift the World Cup, then Kane’s goals might not be enough to lead him to Ballon d’Or glory.
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