With the final whistle of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, a new global champion has been crowned. As Lamine Yamal adds the sport’s ultimate trophy to his cabinet, the race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or has reached a fever pitch.
Fresh off his World Cup triumph, Yamal has emerged as the frontrunner for soccer’s most prestigious individual honor. However, the teenager faces stiff competition in a crowded field. Here is a breakdown of the top contenders on the shortlist:
- Lamine Yamal
- Lionel Messi
- Harry Kane
- Ousmane Dembele
- Kylian Mbappe
Yamal’s sensational campaign with Spain and FC Barcelona
At just 19 years old, Yamal broke multiple World Cup records in a fantastic season. While he guided FC Barcelona to a La Liga title, his international run with Spain cemented his superstar status. Yamal didn’t just anchor La Roja’s qualification campaign, he spearheaded a historic championship run capped by a thrilling victory over Argentina. Yamal’s World Cup triumph at 19 has drawn comparisons to Pele and Diego Maradona.
Lamine Yamal of Spain.
A closer look at his remarkable statistical output this season:
- FC Barcelona (2025–26 Season)
- La Liga: 38 appearances | 18 goals | 14 assists
- UEFA Champions League: 10 appearances | 4 goals | 3 assists
- Copa del Rey / Supercopa: 6 appearances | 2 goals | 3 assists
- Club season totals: 54 appearances | 24 goals | 20 assists
- Spain National Team (2025–26 Campaign)
- UEFA Nations League & Qualifiers: 6 appearances | 1 goal | 2 assists
- 2026 FIFA World Cup: 8 appearances | 1 goal | 0 assists
- International campaign Totals: 13 appearances | 2 goals | 2 assists
- Combined season totals (Club & Country)
- Total appearances: 68 matches
- Total goals: 26 goals
- Total assists: 22 assists
- Total direct goal contributions: 48 G/A
Last 10 Ballon d’Or Winners
With Yamal firmly established as the frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or, anticipation is mounting over the final vote, which could see the young phenom join Rodri as the latest in a new generation of Spanish superstars to claim football’s ultimate individual prize.
These are the last 10 Ballon d’Or winners:
- 2025: Ousmane Dembele (France / Paris Saint-Germain)
- 2024: Rodri (Spain / Manchester City)
- 2023: Lionel Messi (Argentina / Paris Saint-Germain & Inter Miami)
- 2022: Karim Benzema (France / Real Madrid)
- 2021: Lionel Messi (Argentina / Barcelona & Paris Saint-Germain)
- 2020: Not awarded (Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic)
- 2019: Lionel Messi (Argentina / Barcelona)
- 2018: Luka Modric (Croatia / Real Madrid)
- 2017: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal / Real Madrid)
- 2016: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal / Real Madrid)
- 2015: Lionel Messi (Argentina / Barcelona)
