Ballon d'Or 2026 Power Rankings: Luis Diaz and Declan Rice boost their chances with strong Champions League displays - but Harry Kane remains the man to beat

The Open Race for Ballon d'Or

With the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly presumably disappearing into the rearview mirror, the battle for the Ballon d'Or hasn't felt so open for the best part of 20 years, with countless players now beginning each campaign believing they have a chance of claiming the most prestigious individual prize football has to offer.

Previous Winner and Contenders

Ousmane Dembele emerged from a career plagued by injuries and inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he is among a crowded field of contenders one year on. Dembele largely secured the award off the back of his performances in helping Paris Saint-Germain win their first European Cup, and the Champions League is yet again likely to have a big say on the Ballon d'Or battle this time around.

• Luis Diaz and Declan Rice boosted their chances with strong Champions League displays.
• Harry Kane remains the man to beat.

The eventual winner doesn't become clear until the summer in North America, with it's also a World Cup year.

Key Factors in the Ballon d'Or Battle

However, it's also a World Cup year, so there is a chance that the eventual winner doesn't become clear until the summer in North America.