2026 Ballon d’Or: Top 5 ranking for September
by Ayeh Offei-Akoto · MyNewsGh.comThe organisers of the Ballon d’Or have confirmed that the official 30-man shortlist for the 2026 award will be announced on September 8.
The announcement has already sparked debate over which players will make the final list.
The 2025/26 season ended with the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, making this year’s award one of the most difficult to predict.
The Ballon d’Or jury, made up of 100 journalists from the top-ranked FIFA nations, will consider individual performances as well as team success.
Here are the top five favourites ahead of the shortlist announcement:
- Lionel Messi
Messi remains in the race largely because of his performances at the World Cup. The 39-year-old scored eight goals for Argentina, although they eventually lost to Spain in the final.
His performances in MLS alone would not have placed him among the favourites, but his impact at the World Cup has kept him in contention.
- Kylian Mbappé
Mbappé continues to wait for his first Ballon d’Or despite several outstanding seasons.
The France captain strengthened his case by winning the World Cup Golden Boot and becoming the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.
He also scored 42 goals in 44 appearances for Real Madrid, although the Spanish giants failed to win a major trophy.
- Lamine Yamal
At just 19, Yamal is already being tipped to win the Ballon d’Or.
The Barcelona and Spain winger made history by becoming the youngest player to feature in and win both a European Championship and a World Cup final.
He also scored 24 goals and provided 18 assists as Barcelona won another LaLiga title.
- Harry Kane
Kane enters the race after a remarkable season with Bayern Munich.
The England captain scored 61 goals in 51 matches, helping Bayern win the domestic league and cup double while also claiming the European Golden Shoe.
England finished third at the World Cup, with Kane scoring six goals during their campaign.
- Rodri
Rodri is considered the leading favourite after playing a key role in Spain’s World Cup triumph.
The midfielder controlled the game from the heart of Spain’s midfield, providing defensive cover and helping his team dictate play.
His performances earned him the World Cup Golden Ball, putting him ahead of prolific scorers such as Mbappé and Messi in the race for the top individual prize.
The official 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist will be announced on September 8, with the winner set to be revealed later this year.
Source: MyNewsGh.com
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