Still, the accolade warrants considerable skepticism. Unlike prestigious honors decided by media panels, players, or coaches, the BOAT winner was determined strictly by a pay-to-play fan vote. Through a dedicated online portal charging €1 per ballot, supporters essentially voted with their wallets to pick the ultimate winner among past Ballon d’Or recipients.

Eligibility was strictly limited to multi-time Ballon d’Or winners. That criterion handed Cristiano and Messi a massive built-in advantage over the field, given their respective five-and eight-trophy hauls, as each individual award won was voted on separately. For instance, a fan could vote for Ronaldo’s 2008 triumph (the BOAT winner), Messi’s historic 2012 campaign (BOAT runner-up), or any of their other winning seasons individually.

While the fan-funded prize provided a sideshow to Harry Kane lifting the main 2026 Ballon d’Or trophy, it was met with fierce backlash. Critics quickly slammed the pay-to-vote format as a blatant cash grab while panning the restrictive criteria that locked out numerous legendary single-time winners from soccer history.

Nominees for the BOAT award

The organizers opened the ballot to global supporters, inviting them to evaluate the most dominant individual seasons produced by multi-time award winners. Beyond simply selecting a player’s career as a whole, the format asked fans to vote on specific Ballon d’Or-winning campaigns, turning the contest into a direct historical comparison between football’s greatest individual peaks.

These were the nominees:

• Lionel Messi 2023
• Lionel Messi 2021
• Lionel Messi 2019
• Cristiano Ronaldo 2017
• Cristiano Ronaldo 2016
• Lionel Messi 2015
• Cristiano Ronaldo 2014
• Cristiano Ronaldo 2013
• Lionel Messi 2012
• Lionel Messi 2011
• Lionel Messi 2010
• Lionel Messi 2009
• Cristiano Ronaldo 2008 (BOAT Winner)
• Ronaldo Nazario 2002
• Ronaldo Nazario 1997
• Marco van Basten 1992
• Marco van Basten 1989
• Marco van Basten 1988
• Michel Platini 1985
• Michel Platini 1984
• Michel Platini 1983
• Karl-Heinz Rummenigge 1981
• Karl-Heinz Rummenigge 1980
• Kevin Keegan 1979
• Kevin Keegan 1978
• Franz Beckenbauer 1976
• Johan Cruyff 1974
• Johan Cruyff 1973
• Franz Beckenbauer 1972
• Johan Cruyff 1971
• Alfredo Di Stefano 1959
• Alfredo Di Stefano 1957

Could the Super Ballon d’Or make a return?

On the heels of the controversial BOAT award, reports suggest France Football is weighing another historic honor—one that could heavily favor Messi. Rumors are circulating about the potential revival of the elusive Super Ballon d’Or to recognize the defining player of the modern era, with reports out of Argentina pointing to Messi as the overwhelming frontrunner.

Beyond his record eight Ballon d’Or trophies—more than Ronaldo or anyone else in history—Messi’s generational influence and all-around impact have cemented his legacy as a once-in-a-lifetime talent.

As France Football explores ways to formally salute the titans of this generation, the broader soccer landscape is left reckoning with the close of an unprecedented chapter, one defined by two generational rivals who pushed the sport to heights fans may never witness again.

Key takeaways

• Cristiano Ronaldo won the Best of All Time award with his 2008 Ballon d’Or award.
• The BOAT winner was determined by an online fan vote charging €1 per ballot.
• Harry Kane won the main 2026 Ballon d’Or trophy at the gala.

Messi first won the Ballon d’Or in December 2009, coming off his tremendous 2008-09 season with Barcelona, in which he won LaLiga, UEFA Champions League, and Copa del Rey. It was the first time Barca won all three tournaments in a single season—the first of many.

At the time, Messi was 22 years old, three years older than Yamal currently is, which means he could still beat Messi to the award. In fact, Yamal could beat everyone to it.

Yamal can still break a Ballon d’Or record

Although Yamal came up short of becoming the youngest player to win the Ballon d’Or, he can still break that record. Ronaldo Nazario owns the milestone, as he won the Ballon d’Or at 21 in 1997. Nazario won the Ballon d’Or twice and was who handed this year’s winner the award.

Had Yamal won, it would’ve been a special moment, with the former youngest winner handing the honor to the new record-setter. However, it wasn’t to be. Yamal will have another shot next year, and could have yet another one in 2028, depending on the date chosen to host the gala two years from now.

When Messi won his first Ballon d’Or in 2009, he had won three championships with Barcelona the season prior. Yamal did win LaLiga and Supercopa, but his Barca side came up short in the UEFA Champions League. Yamal makes up for that with the 2026 World Cup win, even though he didn’t have the biggest of impacts in soccer’s biggest tournament.

Yamal had a memorable season

At the end of the day, Lamine still conquered LaLiga and the FIFA World Cup at just 19. Make no mistake, though: this is only the beginning, and soccer fans all across the globe should prepare for Yamal-Messi debates to become common currency.

Lamine Yamal couldn’t win his first Ballon d’Or by the age of 19, but neither could Lionel Messi, so he’s still in contention to become the next Messi. However, his goal is to be the first Lamine Yamal, and he’s doing a great job of it for the time being.

Key takeaways

• Lionel Messi won his first Ballon d’Or at the age of 22.
• Lamine Yamal missed out on winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or at age 19.
• Ronaldo Nazario won the 1997 Ballon d’Or at 21, remaining the youngest recipient.

Instead, both Messi and Ronaldo had already won the award multiple times by the age of 33. Cristiano won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008 (23 years old) and had already raised his total to five Ballon d’Ors by 33. That’s where Ronaldo still stands, as he is second in the all-time leaderboard. Considering Ronaldo wasn’t nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, there’s reason to believe that’s where CR7’s total will remain once he calls it a career.

As for Messi, he leads the way with his record eight Ballon d’Or wins. The Argentine won his first in 2009 at 22, and had six Ballon d’Or trophies by the age of 33. With his win in 2026, Kane has etched his name on the list of English players that have won the Ballon d’Or. Moreover, Kane is the third player to take home the award since Messi last won one in 2023.

Harry Kane’s resume to win 2026 Ballon d’Or

Even though Kane voiced his gratitude to Tottenham in his speech after winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or, it’s plain to see that his move to Bayern Munich completely changed the trajectory of his career. Last season, Kane hoisted the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal trophies while also reaching the UEFA Champions League semifinals.

Kane’s England side also fell in the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup. Still, his goals did all the talking. Kane scored 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern across all competitions, including 34 in the Bundesliga and 14 in the UEFA Champions League. During the World Cup, Kane scored six goals for the Three Lions, finishing tied for fifth among the tournament’s top scorers.

Kane beats Mbappe to 2026 Ballon d’Or

Although Kane finished behind Kylian Mbappe, who scored 10 goals at the 2026 World Cup and became the tournament’s all-time leading goalscorer, he had the last laugh at the Palladium Theatre in London. Not just that, but Kane also won the 2026 Gerd Muller trophy during the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony in London.

Even though Mbappe had previously reacted to the possibility of Kane winning the Ballon d’Or, Ronaldo Nazario’s announcement still came as a shock to the French national team and Real Madrid star. As incredible as it sounds, Mbappe has yet to win a Ballon d’Or.

2026 Ballon d’Or final podium

Prior to the ceremony, rumors ran wild as viral posts that accidentally appeared on the award’s official website may have leaked the 2026 Ballon d’Or podium. In the end, there was fire behind the smoke. Just as the leak hinted, Kane finished on top, with Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, who is still without a Ballon d’Or at 19, rounding out the top three.

• Harry Kane: 2026 Ballon d’Or winner
• Kylian Mbappe: Second place
• Lamine Yamal: Third place

Messi and Ronaldo’s Ballon d’Or wins

Key takeaways

• Harry Kane won the Ballon d’Or at age 33 at the 70th ceremony.
• Lionel Messi had won Ballon d’Or six times at 33.
• Cristiano Ronaldo had five Ballon d’Ors by 33 years old.

• Rodri (2024): The Manchester City and Spain midfielder claimed the 2024 prize following an incredible season in which he anchored Manchester City to a fourth consecutive Premier League title and guided Spain to glory at UEFA Euro 2024.
• Ousmane Dembele (2025): The French forward captured the 2025 Ballon d’Or after a spectacular campaign leading Paris Saint-Germain’s dynamic attack.
• Harry Kane (2026): The English Ballon d’Or winner made 84 goal contributions and had an impressive season altogether at 33 years old with both Bayern Munich and England.

Messi didn’t attend the Ballon d’Or gala, but he was and is heavily featured. The reason is simple, he still was amongst the top 10 finalists, making clear he is still a top-tier player, ending fifth in the final voting results.

Messi’s Ballon d’Or record seems untouchable

Lionel Messi’s tally of 8 Ballons d’Or (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023) represents one of the most formidable benchmarks in sporting history. He dominates the all-time Ballon d’Or winners list. To put Messi’s record into perspective, there are three key feats:

• Generational longevity: Messi won his first and eighth awards 14 years apart, showing sustained peak excellence across three separate decades.
• More than entire nations: Messi has won more Ballons d’Or on his own (8) than nearly every country in football history. Only France has produced 8 total awards, spread across six different players.
• The new era of parity: Following the departure of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo from European club football, individual awards have become far more distributed among emerging talents like Rodri, Dembele, and others, making a continuous multi-trophy reign statistically improbable.

How many active players have multiple Ballon d’Or awards?

Only two active players hold multiple men’s Ballon d’Or trophies:

Every other multiple winner in history, including three-time recipients Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, and Marco van Basten, as well as two-time winners Franz Beckenbauer, Ronaldo Nazario, Alfredo Di Stefano, Kevin Keegan, and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, are retired.

Key takeaways

• Lionel Messi won his eighth Ballon d’Or on October 30, 2023.
• Harry Kane made 84 goal contributions during his Ballon d’Or-winning 2026 season.
• Only two active players hold multiple men’s Ballon d’Or trophies.

The reason is heavy traffic and congestion around central London, which has slowed the arrival of guests and disrupted the red carpet. Organizers decided to move the start time to give the attendees more time to reach the venue.

The timing has added another twist to an already eventful night, with Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe among the leading contenders for the men’s award. One of them will join the long list of winners.

What time will the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony really start?

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to start at 4:45 PM ET, 45 minutes later than originally planned. The congestion has delayed guests and disrupted the red carpet, where several stars have already made appearances.

Organizers pushed the start time back to allow nominees and other guests more time to reach the venue in central London. The event is being hosted by Kate Scott and Thierry Henry, with the evening expected to feature awards across several categories, including the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or.

This year, Ronaldo Nazario will present the Ballon d’Or award. He also holds the record as the youngest player to win it, at 21 years old. If Lamine Yamal emerges victorious, he would move into second place on that list.

The ceremony is being held at the London Palladium, marking the first time in the Ballon d’Or’s 70-year history that the event has taken place in London rather than Paris, to pay tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, the first-ever winner in 1956.

Key takeaways

• Pushed back by 45 minutes, the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony was delayed past 4 PM ET.
• Heavy traffic and congestion around central London delayed guests and disrupted the red carpet.
• Ronaldo Nazario will present the award, holding the record as the youngest-ever winner.

In fact, Mbappe is clearly at peace with that possibility. As he said, “Harry Kane Ballon d’Or? It would be well deserved!“ Mbappe and Kane are two of the most likely players to join the list of Ballon d’Or winners in history.

An accidental leak of the 2026 Ballon d’Or podium went viral, and both of them are featured in the podium. Hence, there is a very real possibility that one of these two players gets the award.

Harry Kane key admission on Ballon d’Or

“Winning the Ballon d’Or has always been one of my dreams. Obviously, when I was 15 or 16, I would never have expected to achieve everything I have achieved… But, as I said, regardless of the result, this is already something very special for me personally and for the teams I’ve played for,” Harry Kane said.

Kane also said that he is “a little bit nervous” because when a player gets ready for a key game or final, he knows he can make an impact. Here, “It’s a very different situation. I’m here with my friends and family, and I know they’re nervous. I’m just trying to enjoy myself here in London.”

Kane vs Mbappe stats

Key takeaways

• Kylian Mbappe stated Harry Kane winning the Ballon d’Or would be well deserved.
• An accidental viral leak placed Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe on the podium.
• Harry Kane recorded 76 goals and 84 goal contributions across 68 games.

His first triumph came in 1997, when he was only 21 and playing for Inter Milan. After starring for Barcelona before his move to Italy, he became the first Brazilian to win the award under its original European eligibility rules. It also made Ronaldo the youngest player to win the Ballon d’Or.

France Football records him as the winner ahead of Predrag Mijatovic and Zinedine Zidane. Five years later, O Fenomeno claimed the prize again after a remarkable comeback from serious injuries and a spectacular 2002 World Cup with Brazil.

Which clubs did Ronaldo Nazario play for when he won the Ballon d’Or?

Ronaldo Nazario won the Ballon d’Or in 1997 as an Inter Milan player and in 2002 as a Real Madrid player. He joined Inter in July 1997 after an extraordinary season with Barcelona, where he scored 47 goals in 49 official matches and won the Copa del Rey and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.

His second Ballon d’Or came in 2002, when Ronaldo had started the year at Inter before moving to Real Madrid after the World Cup. He joined the Spanish club in September for a reported €47 million and quickly became one of the team’s biggest stars.

How many times did Ronaldo Nazario finish in the Ballon d’Or top three?

Ronaldo Nazario finished in the Ballon d’Or top three four times. He was second in 1996, won the award in 1997, finished third in 1998 and won it again in 2002.

His first podium came in 1996, when he finished just one point behind Germany’s Matthias Sammer in the voting. He was playing for Barcelona at the time and earned 143 points compared with Sammer’s 144.

He then went one step further in 1997. He dominated the voting with 222 points, finishing well ahead of second-place Predrag Mijatoviccand third-place Zinedine Zidane. He became the first Brazilian to win the France Football award.

In 1998, he remained on the podium despite Brazil losing the World Cup final to France. Zinedine Zidane won the Ballon d’Or after his World Cup triumph, while Davor Suker finished second and he took third with 66 points.

His fourth top-three finish came in 2002, when he returned to the top of the voting after a remarkable comeback from serious knee injuries and a sensational World Cup with Brazil.

Key takeaways

• Ronaldo Nazario won the Ballon d’Or twice during his soccer career.
• Real Madrid signed Ronaldo Nazario in September 2002 for a reported €47 million.
• Ronaldo Nazario finished in the Ballon d’Or top three four times overall.

Taking this situation into account and judging by the graphics, Lionel Messi would ultimately be out of contention for a ninth Ballon d’Or. The other three, meanwhile, would each be lifting the trophy for the first time in their careers.

Much has been said about Yamal’s situation, as he could have a slight advantage over the other contenders after winning the 2026 World Cup with Spain. However, both Mbappe and Kane have also put up outstanding numbers, both at the World Cup and at club level.

In a lineup that notably excludes Cristiano Ronaldo, among others, this could be the moment for a new generation of players to claim the prestigious award. Who will ultimately be crowned the winner of this year’s edition?

Some names have fallen out of contention

Thirty players were selected for the final stage of the award race. However, only one will be crowned the new Ballon d’Or winner. Some names, for instance, have already fallen out of contention in the final selection.

According to insider Fabrizio Romano on his X account, high-profile players such as Marquinhos finished in 25th place. Lautaro Martinez ranked 22nd in the voting, while Declan Rice finished 15th, placing him in the middle of the standings.

Another name that generated plenty of anticipation regarding how far he would go in the rankings was Vinicius Jr. His disappointing performance at the last World Cup ultimately worked against the Brazilian forward, who finished 17th in the voting.

Key takeaways

• An website oversight leaked graphics showing Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, and Harry Kane as winners.
• Lionel Messi appears to be out of contention for a ninth Ballon d’Or.
• Fabrizio Romano revealed lower-tier rankings, including Marquinhos at 25th and Vinicius Jr. at 17th.

That player is George Weah, the Liberian striker who won the Ballon d’Or in 1995 after standout performances with Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan. His victory was historic, as that year marked the first time players from outside Europe were eligible for the award.

Three decades later, he remains the only winner. Several African stars have come close to following in his footsteps, including Senegal’s Sadio Mane, who finished second in 2022, and other leading names who have earned places on the shortlist.

Which African players have come closest to winning the Ballon d’Or?

Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o are among the African players who have come closest to winning the Ballon d’Or, with Mane recording the best finish by an African player since George Weah’s 1995 triumph.

Sadio Mane: Second Place in 2022

Mane came closest to matching Weah when he finished second in the 2022 Ballon d’Or voting, behind Benzema. His season included major contributions to Liverpool’s domestic cup victories and Senegal’s first Africa Cup of Nations title in February 2022. His performances for club and country made him the highest-ranked African player since Weah’s historic win.

Mohamed Salah: Fourth Place in 2025

Salah recorded his best-ever Ballon d’Or finish in 2025, placing fourth after an outstanding season with Liverpool. The Egyptian forward had previously finished fifth in both 2019 and 2022, along with sixth in 2018. His fourth-place result put him among the most successful African contenders in the award’s history, although he remained outside the top three.

Didier Drogba: Fourth Place in 2007

Drogba finished fourth in the 2007 Ballon d’Or, behind winner Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The Ivory Coast striker was a key figure for Chelsea and established himself as one of the most influential forwards in European soccer. He also recorded several other top-10 finishes, including eighth place in 2006 and 2012.

Samuel Eto’o: Fifth Place in 2009

Eto’o’s highest finish came in 2009, when he ranked fifth in the Ballon d’Or voting after helping Barcelona win the treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League. The Cameroon international scored consistently throughout the campaign and remains one of Africa’s most decorated forwards. He also finished sixth in 2006 and eighth in 2011.

Other African players who reached the top 10

Although Weah remains the only African player to win the men’s Ballon d’Or, Mane’s runner-up finish and Salah’s fourth-place result show how close other stars have come to joining him. Several other African stars have earned places among the award’s leading contenders:

• Achraf Hakimi (Morocco): Finished sixth in 2025, strengthening his status as one of the continent’s leading modern players.
• Riyad Mahrez (Algeria): Placed seventh in 2016 after playing a central role in Leicester City’s unexpected Premier League title win.
• Victor Osimhen (Nigeria): Finished eighth in 2023 after helping Napoli win Serie A for the first time in 33 years.
• Ademola Lookman (Nigeria): Ranked 14th in 2024 after scoring a hat trick in Atalanta’s Europa League final victory.

Key takeaways

• Only one player representing an African nation has won the men’s Ballon d’Or.
• George Weah won the historic award in 1995 for Liberia.
• Sadio Mane finished second in 2022, marking Africa’s highest finish since 1995.

According to Leo Paradizo of ESPN Argentina, Lionel Messi has emerged as the clear frontrunner should the award be formally revived. Messi, who has more Ballon d’Or wins than Cristiano Ronaldo, or every other soccer player for that matter, would cap a legendary career with this accolade.

Organizers have kept any formal plans under wraps. Still, the mere possibility of awarding a second Super Ballon d’Or has captured global attention. For fans and analysts alike, Messi deserves the award to put a the definitive exclamation mark on his career.

Why would Messi get a Super Ballon d’Or?

Messi’s candidacy for a Super Ballon d’Or award is virtually undisputed on paper. For instance, he is an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, dominating the all time list (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023). Messi holds a record that may never be matched.

Messi’s legacy is defined by sustained dominance at the highest level. From anchoring Barcelona’s golden era and winning four UEFA Champions League titles to the 2022 FIFA World Cup and back-to-back Copa America triumphs with Argentina. Messi has individual excellence, record-shattering statistics, and team success.

Are there any other Super Ballon d’Or awards?

In the entire history of football, the Super Ballon d’Or has been awarded only once. On December 24, 1989, France Football commemorated its 30th anniversary by presenting the one-of-a-kind trophy to celebrate the greatest European player of the previous three decades.

Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano claimed the historic trophy. Di Stefano topped a prestigious vote that placed Johan Cruyff in second and Michel Platini in third. Non-European players were ineligible for the award until 1995. Hence, icons like Pelé and Diego Maradona were excluded at the time.

Key takeaways

• France Football is considering reviving the Super Ballon d’Or in 2027.
• Lionel Messi has won eight Ballon d’Or awards throughout his career.
• Alfredo Di Stefano claimed the only previous Super Ballon d’Or in 1989.

The London Palladium has a seating capacity of 2,286 people, offering a sense of the scale of the venue hosting this year’s ceremony. However, the exact number of attendees expected at the Ballon d’Or gala has not been officially confirmed.

The guest list is expected to bring together nominees, legends, coaches, club representatives, sponsors and members of the international media. The ceremony will celebrate individual excellence while marking seven decades of history.

How many nominees are attending the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony?

The men’s Ballon d’Or shortlist features 30 players, and the women’s award also has 30 nominees, but the published lists do not establish how many of them will be present at the London Palladium on October 26.

Several high-profile names are expected to draw attention at the event, including Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal. Reports on the day of the ceremony indicated that these stars were set to attend.

Lionel Messi is also on the men’s shortlist, but his attendance has been uncertain in reports published ahead of the ceremony. The Argentine icon, who leads Cristiano Ronaldo in Ballon d’Or wins, could claim his ninth award.

CR7 is not expected to attend, as he was not nominated this year. Without a doubt, it is one of the most anticipated events of 2026, and within hours, the list of winners, which has been growing since 1956, will expand once again.

Key takeaways

• The London Palladium seats 2,286 people for the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
• Men’s and women’s shortlists feature 30 nominees each, but overall attendance is unconfirmed.
• Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal are reported to attend the gala.