2026 Ballon d'Or Race: Dembele Second, Number One Goes Without Saying

The 2026 Ballon d'Or race is becoming more exciting than ever as a host of top world stars fiercely compete for the most prestigious individual award in football.

Below is 2026 Ballon d'Or Power Rankings updated by GOAL after the Champions League final between PSG and Arsenal.

5. Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)

2025/26 season: 22 goals, 26 assists. Won Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and DFL-Supercup.

Anyone who doubted Michael Olise would struggle moving from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich has had to change their mind. The French winger has had nearly two excellent seasons playing for the Bavarian club.

Not only does he score goals, but Olise also creates numerous chances for his teammates, thereby establishing himself as one of the most fearsome attackers in the Bundesliga. He also made a strong impression in the Champions League, especially in the quarter-final clash against Real Madrid. At the Bernabeu, Olise constantly disrupted the opposing defense before scoring himself in the return leg in Germany.

His impressive club form has helped Olise secure a starting spot in the French national team, despite fierce competition in attack. If he continues his current performances, the 24-year-old star could become one of the most prominent figures at the 2026 World Cup, a tournament where France is considered a top contender for the title.

4. Vitinha (PSG)

2025/26 season: 7 goals, 10 assists. Won Ligue 1, Champions League, Trophée des Champions, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

Vitinha has emerged as one of the world's top midfielders after an unsuccessful stint at Wolves. The Portuguese star also finished in the top 3 of the 2025 Ballon d'Or.

In the 2025/26 season, Vitinha continued to play a central role in PSG's style under Luis Enrique, contributing both in organization and attack. He played a major part in helping the Parisian club successfully defend their Ligue 1 and Champions League titles, and was named the best player of the European final.

At the international level, Vitinha is expected to be a key figure for Portugal at the 2026 World Cup. After winning the 2025 UEFA Nations League, the Seleção are aiming to conquer the world, and Vitinha is seen as one of the most important keys.

3. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

2025/26 season: 24 goals, 17 assists. Won La Liga and Spanish Super Cup.

Lamine Yamal is considered one of the top candidates for the 2026 Ballon d'Or and has a chance to become the youngest player in history to win the award. The Barcelona prodigy finished as runner-up in the 2025 Ballon d'Or behind Ousmane Dembele.

His explosive performances in the Champions League and La Liga have helped Yamal solidify his place among the world's best players. However, having to play with a heavy schedule from a very young age has caused him considerable fitness issues and injuries.

The 18-year-old star is likely to miss Spain's first matches at the 2026 World Cup, but is expected to return in time for the knockout stage. If he continues to shine as he did at Euro 2024, Yamal can turn his Ballon d'Or dream into reality.

2. Ousmane Dembele (PSG)

2025/26 season: 20 goals, 11 assists. Won Champions League, Ligue 1, Trophée des Champions, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

Injury prevented Dembele from maintaining his influence early in the season, raising doubts about his ability to defend his Ballon d'Or title. However, since returning to full fitness, the French international has quickly regained top form. He repeatedly shone in the Champions League knockout stages against Liverpool and Bayern Munich, and also made his mark in the final.

PSG successfully defended their European crown, and Dembele remains one of the most important elements in Luis Enrique's system. Although he has not maintained the explosiveness of the 2024/25 season, with France in high form ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Dembele remains an extremely strong contender for this year's Ballon d'Or.

1. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

2025/26 season: 61 goals, 7 assists. Won Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and DFL-Supercup.

Harry Kane is having one of the most impressive seasons of his career after ending his long trophy drought. The English striker not only maintains an incredible goal-scoring rate but has also become the driving force in Bayern Munich's play, playing a major role in the club's domestic treble.

With that explosive form, Kane is currently seen as the brightest candidate for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. However, the race is still not decided, as the 2026 World Cup is considered a factor that could determine the fate of this prestigious individual award.

England fans hope the Three Lions captain will continue his top form on North American soil. If Kane shines and helps England end a 60-year wait for a major trophy, his chances of winning the 2026 Ballon d'Or will become very wide open.