OneFootball
Ballon d'Or 2026 power rankings: Who leads the race after nominees announced?
xCruzo Brief
The Ballon d’Or 2026 race is moving into its decisive phase after the men’s 30-player shortlist was confirmed following the 2026 World Cup. Spain’s final triumph over Argentina is expected to boost individual chances for 2024 winner Rodri and Lamine Yamal, both of whom would enter the new club season with momentum from a defining tournament. Harry Kane remains the betting favorite after his Bayern Munich goalscoring run and key interventions with England, but the article notes Lionel Messi’s late surge into the conversation at 39. Messi led Argentina to the final with eight goals before being overtaken in the all-time record by Kylian Mbappé.
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