The 2026 World Cup has reshaped the conversation around the Ballon d’Or, with performances at the tournament significantly influencing the prospects of several leading contenders. The 30-player shortlist has already been announced, and the achievements of stars such as Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal and Rodri have placed them firmly at the centre of the debate.
The start of the new club season will now provide another important chapter. Performances after the World Cup could strengthen or weaken the claims of players whose campaigns have already been shaped by their international displays.
At present, Harry Kane leads the discussion after an outstanding goalscoring campaign for Bayern Munich and a productive World Cup with England. Lionel Messi, despite being 39, also remains part of the conversation after scoring eight goals and taking Argentina to the final.
Here are five of the leading contenders:
5. Lionel Messi
The prospect of Messi winning another Ballon d’Or may appear surprising given his age, but his performance at the 2026 World Cup has kept him firmly among the players being discussed for the award.
At 39, Messi scored eight goals as Argentina reached the final. He was briefly the tournament’s leading scorer before being overtaken by Mbappé. Argentina ultimately lost the final to Spain, but Messi remained one of the most influential figures in his team’s campaign.
His international record also carries considerable weight. Messi won the 2023 Ballon d’Or after Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, collecting the award around 10 months after their victory in Qatar while playing for Inter Miami.
A second consecutive World Cup triumph for Argentina might have strengthened his case even further. Nevertheless, his eight-goal campaign, continued influence at international level and contribution to Inter Miami’s Campeones Cup success have ensured that his name remains in the discussion. David Beckham has also backed Messi as a potential candidate.
4. Rodri
Rodri played a central role in Spain’s World Cup triumph, controlling the midfield while contributing both defensively and in building attacks. His ability to dictate the tempo and maintain the team’s structure was a key part of Spain’s campaign.
His tournament was recognised when he won the World Cup Golden Ball.
For a period after the World Cup, those achievements appeared to put Rodri in a strong position to challenge for a second Ballon d’Or. His club season, however, was less consistent. After returning from injury, he needed time to regain his rhythm with Manchester City.
City won the FA Cup and League Cup but did not secure the Premier League title. Rodri subsequently joined Barcelona, but his involvement at the beginning of the new season has been limited. He has played the full 90 minutes in only one of his first six matches.
That means the midfielder has yet to fully build on his World Cup success with sustained club performances.
3. Lamine Yamal
At just 19, Lamine Yamal has already reached the finals of both the European Championship and the World Cup, winning both tournaments with Spain. After finishing second in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting, he is now competing for the award himself.
Yamal’s World Cup numbers in terms of goals and assists were not particularly high by his usual standards, but his contribution to Spain’s overall campaign remained significant.
His club record has provided an even stronger foundation for his claim. During the previous season, Yamal scored 24 goals and supplied 18 assists for Barcelona across all competitions.
He has also made a rapid start to the new campaign. In his first seven matches, the teenager has scored eight goals, continuing to demonstrate the attacking influence that has made him one of the most closely watched young players in world football.
2. Kylian Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé entered his late twenties without yet winning the Ballon d’Or, despite having spent years performing at the highest level. His 2026 campaign has once again placed him among the leading contenders.
Mbappé scored 10 goals at the World Cup and claimed the Golden Boot. In doing so, he moved ahead of Miroslav Klose in the tournament’s all-time scoring standings and also surpassed Messi’s World Cup goals tally.
He was also firmly involved in the Golden Ball discussion, alongside Messi.
At club level, Mbappé maintained his remarkable goalscoring consistency for Real Madrid despite pressure and controversy surrounding the team during the previous campaign. He scored 42 goals in 44 matches.
Real Madrid did not win a major trophy, which remains part of the wider assessment of individual seasons, but Mbappé’s personal numbers were outstanding.
1. Harry Kane
Harry Kane remains at the top of the current Ballon d’Or discussion, despite not producing his best form at the World Cup. His position is largely built on an exceptional campaign with Bayern Munich.
The England captain scored 61 goals in 51 matches across all competitions last season, playing a major role as Bayern secured both the league and domestic cup titles. He also finished as Europe’s leading goalscorer and was central to Bayern’s successful campaign.
Kane was not ineffective at the World Cup. He scored six goals, including an important brace against DR Congo, and helped England achieve their best World Cup result since 1966.
His form has also continued into the new season. Kane has scored twice in his last two matches, suggesting that his goalscoring output remains a major part of his individual case.
With the Ballon d’Or debate now moving beyond the World Cup, the coming weeks of club football could prove significant for all five players. Kane will look to maintain his scoring record, while Mbappé and Yamal will seek to build on their own strong starts. Rodri has the opportunity to regain full fitness and consistency at Barcelona, and Messi will continue to draw attention whenever he produces decisive performances.
The race remains open, with the balance between international success, club achievements and individual performances continuing to shape the discussion around the 2026 award.
