Ballon d’Or 2026 favourites revealed, with Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Michael Olise, and Erling Haaland leading the list of contenders
The top five favourites for the 2026 Ballon d’Or have been ranked ahead of the prestigious individual football award, following Ousmane Dembele’s 2025 Golden Ball win.
Leading the pack is Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, who has scored 45 goals and provided five assists in 37 appearances across all competitions this season.
Also read: Victor Osimhen Ranks 8th Position in 2023 Ballon d’Or
Kane also played a key role in Bayern’s German Super Cup victory and is on course to secure the Bundesliga title.
In second place is Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe. The 27-year-old has already netted 38 goals and registered six assists in 33 matches.
Mbappe aims to enhance his chances by helping Real Madrid win both LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League, while also leading France at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal ranks third. Last year’s runner-up, the Spain international has scored 19 goals and provided 15 assists in 36 appearances. Yamal also contributed to Barcelona’s Supercopa de España triumph and is on track to claim the LaLiga title.
Fourth is Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, the 24-year-old former Crystal Palace winger. He has netted 13 goals and delivered 25 assists in 36 appearances for Bayern under Vincent Kompany and has become a starter for France, expected to shine at the World Cup.
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Rounding out the top five is Manchester City striker Erling Haaland. The Norway international has scored 29 goals and assisted seven in 39 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side, seeking to improve on his runner-up finish in 2023 behind Lionel Messi.
The rankings highlight a competitive field, with Europe’s elite forwards vying for football’s most coveted individual honour.
Victory Emmanuel is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
