A year of World Cup but no real favorite, this is the rather improbable vagueness surrounding the race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. The campaign is launched. France Football has revealed the list of 30 players nominated for the trophy supposed to reward the best player of the 2025-2026 season and the 100 voters (a journalist for each country in the top 100 of the Fifa ranking) must now establish their top 10. The winner will only be revealed next Monday, October 26 during a ceremony organized in London (and not in Paris).
Unfortunately for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who received her
awards best player in the Champions League last week, the performances of the star players of the 2026 World Cup will weigh enormously in the balance, between the exploits of the legend Lionel Messi, record holder of Ballon d’Or (8), the mastery of Rodri with world champion Spain, the remarkable goals of Kylian Mbappé, the genius of Michael Olise or even the excellent performances of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or for Lamine Yamal?
If he was not very decisive with the Seleccion during the World Cup (only one goal against Saudi Arabia, no assist), Lamine Yamal is considered the future winner by some. Like Mbappé, the 19-year-old prodigy sees himself Ballon d’Or 2026 with the Real Madrid star as his main rival. The crack of Barça champion of Spain does not forget that he was a permanent danger, being untenable during the knockout phase (and also causing the penalty in the 1-0 against France).
His club and national teammate Eric Garcia votes for him. “Lamine Yamal should win the Ballon d’Or this season”launches the defender on the show Què Thi Jugues. “It’s incredible that Raphinha and Pedri are not named. For me, they are the ones who should complete the podium”he adds, also citing world champion Dani Olmo and non-world champion Fermin Lopez. Pau Cubarsi and Ferran Torres are the other Barcelona players named, while Marc Cucurella and Fabian Ruiz are the other Spanish players on the list.
