WHO WINS THE BALLON D’OR 2026?! | Yamal, Mbappé, Messi, Rodri, Kane, Haaland, Olise or Dembélé The ceremony takes place on 26 October in London, the first time in the award's 70-year history it is held outside France, and eight superstars are in the race: Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Rodri, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Michael Olise, and reigning winner Ousmane Dembélé. Lamine Yamal won La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup, and the 2026 World Cup with Spain after a season of 26 goals and 21 assists, and could become the first player under 21 to lift the Golden Ball. His teammate Rodri, the 2024 winner, was named best player of the World Cup before his move to Barcelona. Lionel Messi is chasing a record-extending ninth Ballon d'Or after a remarkable World Cup at 39. Kylian Mbappé finished as top scorer in both the Champions League and La Liga with Real Madrid, Harry Kane and Michael Olise powered Bayern Munich, Erling Haaland kept scoring for Manchester City, and Dembélé led PSG to back-to-back Champions League titles. There's even more at stake: Barcelona and Real Madrid are tied on 12 Ballon d'Ors each, so a win for Yamal, Rodri, or Mbappé would put their club alone at the top #ballondor #ballondor2026 #yamal #mbappe #realmadrid - @footrix12