Spain’s World Cup triumph has propelled Lamine Yamal to top of the Ballon d’Or 2026 rankings.
The Barcelona winger is now regarded as the leading contender for the prestigious individual award after playing a key role in Spain’s successful campaign.
Yamal tops the list ahead of Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who is ranked second, while England striker Harry Kane occupies third place.
Former Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, who claimed the award in 2025, is fourth, followed by his France teammate Kylian Mbappé.
Another French star, Michael Olise, is sixth, with England midfielders Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice ranked seventh and eighth respectively.
