Rodri, Lamine Yamal, Messi, Mbappé, Kane, Dembélé: who leads the 2026 Ballon d'Or race now? | OneFootball

The World Cup is over, and the 2026 Ballon d'Or race remains wide open. Argentina's 1-0 extra-time defeat in the final could check Lionel Messi and give Kylian Mbappé fresh momentum, while Spain's triumph may split votes among stars.

According to L'Équipe, France Football's jury meets on Tuesday, a 30-man shortlist will follow in early September, then the award will be handed out in London on 26 October, 70 years after Stanley Matthews won the first. PSG's Champions League victory will be weighed too.

Rodri, the World Cup's best player, set Spain's tempo and, despite an injury-hit club year, remains a serious contender. Lamine Yamal, 19, is a European and world champion and La Liga's player of the season.

Fabian Ruiz is unbeaten in 50 Spain caps and has completed the World Cup and Champions League double, a feat achieved by only 13 players since 1974, alongside a domestic title with PSG.

Messi captained Argentina to the final, finished second for goals with 8 and for assists with 4, and led the dribbles with 28, keeping him firmly in the frame for a ninth crown.

Mbappé won no team silverware but topped scoring in La Liga with 25 and at the World Cup with 10. He is now the tournament's all-time leading scorer on 22 and, in 2026, France's record marksman with 66.

Other candidates include Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland and Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia, each with standout club or World Cup credentials.

Source: L'Équipe