Following Spain’s World Cup victory, Rodri is rated as the top candidate for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, ahead of Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi.
The 2026 World Cup concluded with Spain crowned champions, while creating major shifts in the race for the Ballon d’Or. Unlike some years where the winner was virtually determined early on, this year’s competition brings together multiple candidates boasting outstanding achievements at both club and national team levels.
According to a ranking of 10 candidates published by Sports Illustrated, Rodri holds the advantage thanks to his central role in Spain’s triumph. The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to take place on October 26 in London.
10. Fabián Ruiz – PSG/Spain
Fabián Ruiz is the only player on the list to win both the Champions League and the World Cup this year. The PSG midfielder also contributed to the Ligue 1 title, starting in the Champions League final against Arsenal and helping his side control the midfield.
At the national team level, Ruiz featured throughout Spain’s championship run, starting in the final against Argentina and scoring a crucial opening goal against Belgium in the quarterfinals.
9. Erling Haaland – Man City/Norway
Haaland served as the spearhead in Norway’s historic journey, as the national team reached the quarter-finals in their first World Cup appearance since 1998. He scored seven goals, including a brace to help Norway defeat Brazil 2-1 in the round of 16.
Although Man City failed to win the Premier League, Haaland still scored 38 goals across all competitions and claimed the Golden Boot for the third time in four seasons.
8. Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid/England
An injury-plagued and trophy-less season with Real Madrid had previously left Bellingham at a disadvantage. However, the 23-year-old midfielder exploded at the World Cup with seven goals, leading England to the semi-finals before scoring the winning goal against France in the third-place match.
The Three Lions’ failure to claim the title keeps Bellingham’s chances of winning relatively low, but his performances in North America nevertheless propelled him back into the contender group.
7. Michael Olise – Bayern Munich/France
Olise led the assist charts at the World Cup with seven setups. Prior to that, he enjoyed a stellar season with Bayern Munich, scoring 22 goals, delivering 31 assists, and helping the Bavarian side capture a domestic double of the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal.
The French star was also named Bundesliga Player of the Season. However, the lack of Champions League and World Cup titles might cost him points.
6. Ousmane Dembélé – PSG/France
The 2025 Ballon d’Or winner continued to play a decisive role in a season where PSG successfully defended their Ligue 1 and Champions League titles. Dembélé scored 20 goals, including a brace against Liverpool in the quarter-finals, two goals against Bayern in the semi-finals, and PSG’s lone strike in the final against Arsenal.
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He also scored six goals for France at the World Cup despite frequently playing out wide.
5. Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid/France
Mbappé won the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot with 10 goals. That achievement raised his total World Cup goal tally to 22 goals in 22 matches, making him the greatest goalscorer in the history of the tournament.
The French forward also scored 42 goals for Real Madrid during the 2025/26 season. However, Real going trophy-less and France finishing only fourth leave Mbappé’s portfolio lacking team silverware.
4. Harry Kane – Bayern Munich/England
No player scored more club goals in the 2025/26 season than Harry Kane. The English striker registered an impressive 61 goals, helping lead Bayern to the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles.
Kane also scored six goals at the World Cup, but a muted performance in the semifinal defeat to Argentina prevented him from turning an extraordinary season into an absolute advantage in the race.
3. Lionel Messi – Inter Miami/Argentina
Argentina failed to defend their world title, but Messi still experienced a memorable tournament with eight goals and four assists. It was he who delivered the decisive pass for his team to score a late goal against England in the semi-finals.
At club level, Messi scored 43 goals in 2025 and led Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS Cup title. Outstanding individual achievements allow him to continue competing for the Ballon d’Or at age 39.
2. Lamine Yamal – Barcelona/Spain
Yamal managed only one goal and one assist at the World Cup, but those numbers fail to reflect the full influence of the 19-year-old player. His dribbling, creativity, and defensive contribution played a crucial role in Spain’s championship triumph.
In a Barcelona shirt, Yamal scored 24 goals, provided 18 assists, and helped the Catalan side successfully defend their La Liga title. He stands on the brink of breaking the record to become the youngest Ballon d’Or winner in history.
1. Rodri – Man City/Spain
Rodri was ranked number one by Sports Illustrated after serving as the heartbeat in the system that propelled Spain to World Cup glory. The Man City midfielder dictated the tempo, aided ball progression, and formed a solid shield in front of the defense.
Spain conceded just once throughout the entire tournament, the best defensive record ever recorded for a World Cup champion. Rodri also won the Golden Ball for the tournament’s best player.
Following his victory in the 2024 Ballon d’Or race, Rodri now stands on the threshold of stepping onto the top podium for a second time. With a world championship and an irreplaceable role in the Spanish squad, he is regarded as the candidate boasting the most well-rounded portfolio.
