Favorites for the 2026 Ballon d'Or and little‑known curiosities
There are only a few hours left to find out the winner of the 2026 Ballon d'Or. In the betting, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal lead, while Rodri and Leo Messi complete the top five. The award will replace Ousmane Dembélé, winner of the previous edition, and celebrates the 70th anniversary of the prize created by France Football.
Betters' forecasts place Kane, Tottenham's striker, and Mbappé, Paris Saint‑Germain's star, as the main contenders, with Yamal, Barcelona's youngster, as the emerging surprise. Rodri, Manchester City's midfielder, and Messi, of Inter Miami, close the list of the five most valued.
The Ballon d'Or also commemorates seven decades of history. Since its foundation, the award has gathered the planet's best footballers, and 2026 marks a special milestone as seventy years have passed since its creation by France Football.
History and eligibility changes
During its early decades, the Ballon d'Or was reserved exclusively for European footballers; this condition remained until 1995, when it opened to players of any nationality. That same year, Liberian George Weah became the first non‑European footballer to lift the trophy.
At the 2014 ceremony, five of the top ten members were playing for LaLiga clubs: Cristiano Ronaldo, Leo Messi, Neymar, James Rodríguez and Toni Kroos, highlighting the preeminence of Spanish football. The Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo took home the award, achieving his third crown.
Thauvin outshines Lamine Yamal in European creative efficiency
The only year the Ballon d'Or was not awarded was 2020, when the covid‑19 pandemic forced the edition to be suspended. Robert Lewandowski, who had shone with Bayern Munich, was one of the top favorites before the cancellation.
Records and curiosities of the trophy
Ronaldo Nazário holds the record for early success, winning in 1997 at 21 years and three months, while Englishman Stanley Matthews became the oldest winner when he received the award in 1956 at 41 years.
Lev Yashin remains the only goalkeeper to have lifted the Ballon d'Or. In 2019 the Yashin Trophy was created, named in his honor, and Brazilian Alisson Becker was its first recipient.
The trophy is made with a brass structure and a pyrite base, coated with a 24‑carat gold layer, and its design comes from the French jewellery house Mellerio dits Meller. Paul Scholes, legendary Manchester United midfielder, was a candidate in five editions, but never received a single vote.