With the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly presumably disappearing into the rearview mirror, the battle for the Ballon d'Or hasn't felt so open for the best part of 20 years, with countless players now beginning each campaign believing they have a chance of claiming the most prestigious individual prize football has to offer. Ousmane Dembele emerged from a career plagued by injuries and inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he was among a crowded field of contenders again in 2026.
Pape Gueye has hit back at Confederation of African Football (CAF) following the governing body's decision to strip Senegal of their Africa Cup of Nations title. The midfielder insists the squad have no intention of returning their winners' medals while the case is appealed.
