Ballon d’Or race tightens as Lamine Yamal moves to the top of latest power rankings

By KPD News Online | September 30, 2026

The 2026 Ballon d’Or race is entering its final stages, with Barcelona and Spain forward Lamine Yamal occupying the top position in a latest power ranking published ahead of the awards ceremony.

The ranking places Yamal ahead of Rodri and Harry Kane, although other recent assessments have placed the three contenders in different positions, underlining how open the race remains.

Yamal’s case is built around his performances for Barcelona and Spain during the 2025/26 campaign. Barcelona says the forward scored 16 La Liga goals and supplied 11 assists, while also being named the league’s Player of the Season. He subsequently helped Spain win the 2026 World Cup.

The 19-year-old has also been a major figure in the Ballon d’Or conversation for the second consecutive year. He finished second behind Ousmane Dembélé in the 2025 voting and is among the nominees for the 2026 award.

Yamal has publicly backed his own candidacy. In September, he said he believed he deserved the award based on what he had won, while identifying Kylian Mbappé as another leading contender.

Rodri’s World Cup impact

Rodri has also emerged as a major contender following Spain’s World Cup triumph. The midfielder was named the tournament’s Golden Ball winner and has been included among the leading candidates in several recent rankings.

His 2025/26 campaign was affected by his recovery from a serious knee injury, but his performances during Spain’s World Cup run significantly strengthened his position in the Ballon d’Or debate.

Rodri is also among Barcelona’s three Ballon d’Or nominees alongside Yamal and Pau Cubarsí.

Kane brings extraordinary scoring numbers

Harry Kane remains another central figure in the contest. The Bayern Munich striker produced a prolific 2025/26 season, with several rankings highlighting his goalscoring output and domestic success.

The Guardian reported that Kane scored 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern Munich, while other assessments have placed his total even higher depending on the competitions and matches included. He also played a significant role in England’s World Cup campaign.

Kane’s domestic achievements with Bayern have strengthened his individual case, while his England performances have kept him firmly in the discussion.

A race without a consensus

The different rankings show that there is no universal order among the leading candidates. One recent assessment placed Kane first, Yamal second and Rodri third, while another had Yamal ahead of Kane and Rodri.

The official 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for October 26 in London, when the final voting outcome will be announced.

Until then, Yamal, Rodri, Kane, Mbappé and other shortlisted players remain part of a closely watched contest for football’s most prominent individual award.