Which names are in line for a 2026 Ballon d'Or nomination?

Harry Kane (Bayern Munich and England) 

No English player has won the Ballon d'Or since Michael Owen in 2001, but this year feels like that run could come to an end thanks to the performances of Harry Kane. 

The England captain won his third Bundesliga top scorer award in a row, netting 61 goals in all competitions as Bayern Munich won a league and cup double. 

Kane also led the Three Lions to the World Cup semi-finals, becoming his country's record goal-scorer in the competition. 

It's almost been the perfect year for the striker, and he could top it off my scooping the ultimate prize. 

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Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid and France) 

Mbappe enjoyed a history-making summer in the States, but will those feats be enough to see him follow fellow Frenchman Ousmane Dembele in winning the famous golden ball? 

At the World Cup, the forward became the competition's all-time leading goal-scorer as France made the final four, whilst also becoming his country's record marksman. 

Domestically, he also racked up 42 goals for Real Madrid last season, including being the top scorer in the Champions League. 

It feels like the Ballon d'Or is one of the only things missing from Mbappe's CV, but will this be his year? 

Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain) 

This summer, Yamal added the World Cup to his list of accomplishments, becoming the first player to win both major international trophies before the age of 20. 

His displays in the States weren't at his scintillating best due to injury, but he still managed to score once as Spain triumphed. 

The teenager's 28 goal involvements for a Barcelona side that retained La Liga proved that he's still the best young player on the planet and bound to be a Ballon d'Or winner at some point in his career. 

Whether it's in 2026 remains to be seen. 

Getty Images

Rodri (Barcelona and Spain) 

Before the World Cup, it felt unlikely that Rodri would be in the running for a second Ballon d'Or, but then came his performances at the finals.

As the linchpin in the Spanish midfield, he was a key reason behind the national team's triumph in North America and was named Player of the tournament. 

It meant Rodri got to lift the famous trophy and cement himself as the best midfielder in the world once again. 

Now back in Spain with Barcelona, he'd be an outside bet to win the trophy. 

FC Barcelona

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami and Argentina) 

He couldn't, could he? Having lifted the famous trophy a record eight times, is there really still a chance for Messi to do it one final time? Don't rule it out. 

Playing in the MLS won't do his chances any favours, but his performances at this summer's World Cup have certainly put his name back in the frame. 

Messi starred once again as Argentina made it all the way through to the final, playing more like a 20-year-old than someone who is now almost 40. 

It didn't quite end in glory, but don't rule out one more celebration of the icon's greatness in 2026. 

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