Ballon d’Or race sees Stars Who Could Win Football Biggest, Kane leads

All eyes now turn to the Ballon d’Or as Spain’s 1‑0 FIFA World Cup win over Argentina raises the award’s profile, making the race for football’s biggest individual honour more open than ever, with the extra‑time heroics of Ferran Torres and the lingering legacy of Lionel Messi’s Qatar triumph adding extra intrigue.

World Cup final lifts Ballon d’Or stakes

Spain secured a second World Cup title when Ferran Torres netted the decisive goal in extra time, handing La Roja a 1‑0 victory over Lionel Messi’s Argentina. The Argentine side reached consecutive finals after their 2022 edition win in Qatar, underscoring the tournament’s impact on the Ballon d’Or race.

Shortlist and ceremony set for October

France Football have compiled a 30‑man shortlist for the 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or, with the ceremony slated for the London Palladium on Monday 26 October 2026. The 2025 award went to Ousmane Dembélé, whose 2024/25 season saw PSG claim a historic treble of the Champions League, Ligue 1 and Coupe de France, plus a runners‑up finish at the FIFA Club World Cup and a Ligue 1 Golden Boot.

Top contenders and their credentials

Harry Kane, the Bayern Munich and England striker, amassed an impressive 73 goals in 63 appearances across club and country, including 61 league goals and seven assists for Bayern Munich, and 12 for England with five at the World Cup. The 33‑year‑old also earned the European Golden Shoe, a third consecutive Bundesliga top‑scorer award and the league’s best‑player accolade from the Association of German Sports Journalists.

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Lamine Yamal, the Barcelona and Spain prodigy, debuted at 15 in 2023 and finished second in last year’s rankings after a 2024/25 season of 16 goals and 22 assists that helped Barcelona secure a domestic treble. In 2025/26 he recorded 24 goals and 18 assists, contributing to a La Liga and Spanish Super Cup double, despite a late‑season hamstring injury that he overcame to score once and assist once in the World Cup triumph.

Kylian Mbappé, representing Real Madrid and France, became the only player to claim the Golden Boot in the league, Champions League and World Cup within a single season. He scored 25 league goals, 15 Champions League goals and ten at the World Cup, raising his World Cup tally to 22 – a new competition record – although he missed out on silverware with Real Madrid and France.

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Lionel Messi, the Inter Miami and Argentina forward, delivered 45 goals and 32 assists across club and country, guiding Inter Miami to their inaugural MLS championship in 2025 and adding the 2026 Campeones Cup to their honours. Rodri, the Barcelona and Spain midfielder, also features among the 30‑man shortlist, rounding out a field of stars vying for the coveted award.