Ballon d'Or

England legend Wayne Rooney considers it to be “strange” that Harry Kane has never received greater recognition on the Ballon d’Or front. The prolific Bayern Munich striker, who is the all-time leading scorer for Tottenham and the Three Lions, has never finished higher than 10th in any Golden Ball vote. That situation could change in 2026, with Kane considered to be a leading contender for the most prestigious of prizes.

Federico Valverde produced a masterclass that will go down in Champions League folklore, leading Real Madrid to a dominant 3-0 victory over Manchester City. The Uruguayan midfield engine was outstanding, netting a stunning hat-trick to help the Spanish giants put one foot in the quarter-finals. His performance was so good that a reporter in the mixed zone decided to skip the formalities and jokingly crown him with a 'Ballon d'Or' on the spot.

Bukayo Saka has been tipped as a surprise candidate to win the Ballon d'Or this year, with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink naming the Arsenal star as a potential threat to Harry Kane and Declan Rice for the accolade. The former Chelsea striker believes the winger international is "very close" to his compatriots when it comes to succeeding Michael Owen as the next Englishman to take the crown.

Lamine Yamal finished as runner-up in the 2025 Ballon d’Or vote and the Barcelona wonderkid insists that winning a Golden Ball is not something that he gives much thought to. The talented teenager would prefer to focus on collective trophy targets at Camp Nou, rather than individual accolades, with there still plenty for him to try and achieve in 2026.

Kylian Mbappe is being backed to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with former France international Bacary Sagna telling GOAL why the Real Madrid superstar is destined to land a prestigious Golden Ball at some stage. He is considered to be the leading contender to claim that prize in a World Cup year, as he prepares to chase down a second global title with Les Bleus.

World Cup winner Kleberson, who once played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United and in MLS, has explained to GOAL how Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi can land himself a record-extending ninth Ballon d’Or in 2026. The Argentine superstar is readying himself for another shot at global glory, which could put him in contention for Golden Ball recognition.

Michael Owen, who remains the last Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or, has told GOAL what Harry Kane needs to do in order to land a prestigious Golden Ball in 2026. The prolific Bayern Munich striker is considered to have a "big chance" of claiming that prize as he chases down Champions League glory at club level and a World Cup crown with England.

Declan Rice has delivered a typically humble response to claims that he is the “best midfielder in the world” and a serious contender for Ballon d’Or honours in 2026. The Arsenal and England star has become a crucial cog in engine rooms with club and country, leading to his lofty billing, and the 26-year-old is rightly proud of his standing alongside the global elite.

Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique lavished praise on "world class" Vitinha as the Portuguese midfielder delivered one of the standout Champions League performances of the season in their 5-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. The Parisians twice fell behind at the Parc des Princes, but Vitinha’s exceptional hat-trick dragged the reigning European champions over the line in a match that exploded in the second half.

Harry Kane has admitted he wants to win the Ballon d'Or and compared himself to Manchester City hitman Erling Haaland as the strikers battle for glory. Kane is one goal off matching Pele's international haul and will hope to match or better the Brazilian when England face Albania in their final World Cup qualifier on Sunday night as the Three Lions look to maintain their 100% record.

Shay Given has jokingly explained why Rodri should beat the likes of Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal to back-to-back Ballon d’Or wins.