Ballon d’Or 2026 Power Rankings

The 2026 World Cup left us with a clearer picture of how the final Ballon d’Or rankings might look when the prestigious individual accolade is handed out in London on October 26.

Spain outclassed Argentina in the World Cup final at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, with 39-year-old Lionel Messi unable to make an impact despite a stellar overall tournament, having now announced his international retirement.

Paris Saint-Germain also have several players in contention after winning last season’s Champions League at the expense of Arsenal, who were crowned Premier League champions for the first time since 2004. The 2026-27 campaign is now underway, which offered one final opportunity for the frontrunners to show why they deserve to win this year’s Ballon d’Or.

In the past, the prestigious individual accolade was based on the performance of players across a calendar year. However, this time around, for the fourth time in the award’s history, the votes are based on the results of the season.

With the official 30 nominees now revealed, we’ve listed – and ranked – the players who are best placed to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or based on their respective teams’ chances of success as well as their current form.

Ranking factors

We’ve determined the order based on the following:

• Goals scored
• Assists
• Clean sheets (if defensive-minded)
• Trophies won/challenged for (expected to)
• Big moments in the 2025/26 season, including the 2026 World Cup, plus the start of the 2026/27 season
• General form

20

Nuno Mendes

Paris Saint-Germain and Portugal

When we think of great fullbacks of the modern era – such as Marcelo, Jordi Alba, and Andy Robertson – Nuno Mendes is well on his way to being counted among the best of them. Still only 24, he’s won the Champions League twice and has five Ligue 1 titles under his belt.

He’s added two of those triumphs in 2025/26, and few would bet against the Portuguese defender winning even more in the coming season. With six goals and seven assists last term, he contributes plenty going forward, but this doesn’t mean he’s not just as solid when it comes to the art of defending. A truly elite player.

19

Marquinhos

Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil

Marquinhos has long been one of the best centre-backs on the planet, and having captained Paris Saint-Germain to back-to-back Champions League titles over the past two seasons, his impact on the sport cannot be overlooked. Those successes help him rank a little higher than other defenders on this list, who weren’t quite so dominant in Europe.

He has now won 42 trophies across his career, making him the third-most decorated footballer of all time. With that in mind, the experienced Brazilian is more than deserving of his place among the 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees.

18

Joao Neves

Paris Saint-Germain and Portugal

REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

Like Marquinhos and Mendes, Joao Neves has been a key cog in the all-conquering PSG team over the past two seasons. Over the past 12 months, he’s added another Champions League and Ligue 1 title to his ever-expanding trophy cabinet.

Operating in the middle of the park, Neves might not quite make as many headlines as some of his teammates, but his high technical ability, work rate, and composure make him the perfect fit for Luis Enrique’s midfield. Few have shown their quality on the highest stage at a more consistent level over the past 12 months.

17

Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United and Portugal

Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Bruno Fernandes would be one of the Ballon d’Or frontrunners had Portugal performed better at the 2026 World Cup. His performances in North America weren’t as impressive as his majestic club form, although Roberto Martinez may wonder how the 32-year-old might have performed without veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo taking centre stage instead.

Fernandes, Manchester United’s best signing since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013, broke the long-standing Premier League record for most assists (21) in a single season last term, helping the Red Devils secure a third-place finish in the process. He was subsequently named by his Premier League peers as the best player in the division over the course of the 2025-26 campaign, marking the achievement with a hat-trick against Ipswich Town at Old Trafford.

16

Achraf Hakimi

Paris Saint-Germain & Morocco

Caean Couto via Reuters

One of the world’s best full-backs, Achraf Hakimi has enjoyed another excellent year for both Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco. The latter were retrospectively crowned 2025 Africa Cup of Nations champions after Senegal were controversially stripped of the title, meaning Hakimi ended the 2025-26 season with both international and club honours to his name.

Hakimi played a key role as PSG were crowned European champions for the second year in a row. He then helped Morocco reach the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals, before adding the UEFA Super Cup to his trophy collection.

15

Vitinha

Paris Saint-Germain & Portugal

Heiko Becker Via Reuters

Vitinha finished third in the voting for the 2025 Ballon d’Or award, reaching the podium for the first time in his career. The 26-year-old has cemented his status as one of the world’s best midfielders over the past 24 months but is unlikely to finish in this year’s Ballon d’Or top three after Portugal’s underwhelming 2026 World Cup campaign.

Still, a place in the top 20 is more than possible for the 5ft 8in midfield metronome after another excellent season with Paris Saint-Germain, who successfully defended the Champions League.

14

Vinicius Jr

Real Madrid & Brazil

Danilo Fernandez / Fotoarena/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

A few years ago, it felt inevitable that Vinicius Jr would win at least one Ballon d’Or during his career. However, the Brazilian is now 26 years old, and the situation feels far less certain.

Real Madrid snubbed the 2024 ceremony after Manchester City midfielder Rodri beat the winger to football’s most prestigious accolade. Vini Jr felt he deserved the Ballon d’Or that year but ultimately had to settle for the runners-up spot. He still possesses the talent required to win the big prize, but without any major trophies, it probably won’t happen this year despite his impressive stats.

13

Pau Cubarsi

Barcelona & Spain

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Named the 2026 World Cup’s Best Young Player, Pau Cubarsi enjoyed an excellent tournament as Spain were crowned world champions for the second time in their history. He was also key in Barcelona’s league-winning season.

Cubarsi, who doesn’t turn 20 until January, has all the tools required to become one of the best centre-backs of his generation. It’s been a dream start to his career so far, but making the 2026 Ballon d’Or podium will still be a very tough ask.

12

Fabian Ruiz

Paris Saint-Germain & Spain

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Fabian Ruiz wasn’t expected to start for Spain ahead of Barcelona’s Pedri at the 2026 World Cup, but Luis de la Fuente’s decision to pick the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder for several crucial games proved to be a masterstroke.

The 30-year-old, who also won Ligue 1 and the Champions League with PSG last season, was excellent in North America. But the fact that he was overshadowed by his teammate, Rodri, in the final means a Ballon d’Or win feels unlikely – even though some in the Spanish media are championing him as an outside shout for the award.

11

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Paris Saint-Germain & Georgia

One of world football’s most exciting and productive wingers, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was outstanding as Paris Saint-Germain won Ligue 1 and the Champions League in 2025-26, being named UEFA Player of the Season in the latter competition.

If it wasn’t a World Cup year, the Georgian superstar would be far higher up these rankings, seriously challenging for the 2026 Ballon d’Or award. But Georgia’s failure to qualify for the tournament almost certainly means ‘Kvaradona’ will miss out on the prestigious individual accolade this time.