By If Musicians have the Grammys and actors for the Academy then for football we have the Ballon d’Or; the most prestigious award.
However, it is not easy to get one. The road ahead is fierce and even though FIFA 2026 may still sound far away, it’s not for the players who have their eyes peeled for the Ballon d’Or. So based on the current statistics of the best players, we have listed some of the names who may be deserving of the Golden Ball.
Here are the top 7 contenders for Ballon d’Or in FIFA 2026.
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- Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland has the potential to be this modern era’s most exceptional footballer. For a very long time, the game has not witnessed a striker like him. The 22-year-old who currently plays for the club Manchester City is as prolific as he seems and he is almost invincible.
By the time he is 26 or 27 years of age, he will be in his prime time and would be on his path to building himself as one of the greatest players in football history. He is also highly favored to win the Ballon d’Or.
- Kylian Mbappe
There seems to be a debate that the 23-year-old French forward might not be acknowledged as one the best players in the modern era until he challenges himself in a more fierce tournament. Nevertheless, he has so far scored three goals for the France National Team in the 2022 World Cup. Two goals against Denmark and one goal against Australia. He currently plays for the French club Paris Saint-Germain but it is most likely that he will be moved to a different club and things might go down pretty well for this young star.
He certainly has the talent to become a Ballon d’Or winner in 2026 but he still needs to prove himself more to be deserving of the Golden Ball.
- Gavi
Gavi’s incredible 2021/22 season is indeed extraordinary, and the undersized Spaniard doesn’t display any signs of putting the brakes on. Being compared to the Barcelona legend Xavi, the 18-year-old Spanish central midfielder paid back his manager’s trust through some of his outstanding performances. His brilliance and control in packed areas are extremely remarkable, while the passing range he maintains also allows Barcelona to strike fast, instantly, and through the streaks.
His recent accomplishment is winning the Kopa Trophy, where he was awarded the finest player on the planet under the age of twenty-one. Gavi who is now a regular member of the Spain National Team continues to execute excellent performances.
- Jamal Musiala
Jamal Musiala became the youngest player in Bayern Munich and shortly after, their youngest scorer. Musiala who is just 19 years of age is an excellent dribbler, the young German attacking midfielder, and the winger has attracted comparisons with a young Dele Alli and can play donning jersey no. 9 or 10. The genius playmaker is witnessed as a long-term legatee to Thomas Muller in Die Roten’s raid.
Musiala apparently has Julian Nagelsmann’s faith, too, commencing Bayern’s most crucial fixtures this season as he starts to impress his differential on the side. After only 20 league matches in 2022/23, the talented teenager was able to reach his last best goal-6. Without a doubt, he’ll continue to score plenty more during the upcoming campaign.
- Vinicius Junior
Vinicius Junior has certainly toiled his path into the discussion of who is the current finest player on the planet over the last year. The 22-year-old Brazilian winger has been in incredible shape for Real Madrid and his assistance was vital to Real Madrid gaining a victory in the La Liga and Champions League titles the previous season.
Vinicius is making his way as a power forward and could soon catch up with the likes of Norwegian’s Erling Haaland and France’s Kylian Mbappe in a few years.
- Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham plays for the England National Team and is a member of the club Borussia Dortmund. Despite being only 19, the English midfielder also acted as the Dortmund captain during the Champions League game with Sevilla.
Bellingham became the youngest captain ever to score in the tournament when he scored in the forty-first minute.
- Pedri
Playing for the Spanish National Team, Pedri who is just 20 years old has managed to lead the Blaugrana midfield since he joined the team in 2019 from Las Palmas. He has now been listed as one of the first names on Xavi’s squad team list for each match.
Pedri being compared with Andres Iniesta could come to specify an era at Barca along with fellow teammate Gavi, and it’s evident to notice why. The young Spanish footballer is gifted with extraordinary vision, passing accuracy, and technical talents, and continually maintains the ball rushing in Barca’s raids.
