2026 Ballon d'Or Power Rankings: New Winner in World Cup Year

Between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's dominance, variety has returned to the prestigious award.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 7:04pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented soccer match or competition, with sharp, overlapping planes of color capturing the dynamic energy and movement of the game.The unpredictable 2026 Ballon d'Or race is set to be defined by the results of the upcoming World Cup, with a new generation of stars vying for the prestigious individual award.Today in Miami

After more than a decade of predictability thanks to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's otherworldly brilliance, variety has returned to the Ballon d'Or. There have now been three different winners over the past four years, and 2026 has the potential to provide another surprise champion due to next summer's World Cup, which will likely have a huge bearing on who lifts the golden ball aloft in Paris next September.

Why it matters

The Ballon d'Or is one of the most prestigious individual awards in soccer, and the winner is often seen as the best player in the world that year. With the World Cup coming up, the 2026 Ballon d'Or race is expected to be highly competitive and unpredictable, as the tournament results could have a major impact on the voting.

The details

Between the prestigious award's inauguration and Ronaldo's first triumph in 2008, there were only eight multi-time winners. However, variety has returned to the Ballon d'Or in recent years, with three different winners over the past four years. The 2026 edition has the potential to provide another surprise champion, as next summer's World Cup will likely play a huge role in determining the winner.

  • The Ballon d'Or is awarded annually in September.
  • The 2026 World Cup will take place in the summer of 2026.

The players

Raphinha

A Barcelona and Spain forward who was outraged by his perceived snub at the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony, finishing fifth despite a standout season.

Cristiano Ronaldo

A veteran forward playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia and the Portuguese national team, who could be in contention if he leads Portugal to World Cup glory.

Vinicius Junior

A Real Madrid and Brazil winger who was denied the Ballon d'Or in 2024 and will be looking to make amends.

Bruno Fernandes

A Manchester United and Portugal midfielder who could become the fourth Portuguese player to win the Ballon d'Or.

Lionel Messi

The legendary Argentina forward, now playing for Inter Miami in MLS, could win his ninth Ballon d'Or if he leads Argentina to World Cup glory.

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What they’re saying

“He doesn't play football, he thinks it.”

— Thierry Henry, Two-time Premier League champion

“Today is not a victory for me, it is for Spanish football... for so many players who have not won it and have deserved it, like [Andrés] Iniesta, Xavi [Hernández], Iker [Casillas], Sergio Busquets, so many others. It is for Spanish football and for the figure of the midfielder.”

— Rodri, 2024 Ballon d'Or winner

What’s next

The 2026 World Cup will take place in the summer, and the results of that tournament are expected to have a major impact on the 2026 Ballon d'Or voting.

The takeaway

The 2026 Ballon d'Or race is shaping up to be highly competitive and unpredictable, with a new generation of stars challenging the established order. The World Cup will be a crucial factor in determining the winner, as it has been for past Ballon d'Or recipients.