2026 World Cup: Can the World Cup final decide who wins the Ballon d’Or? Is Lionel Messi on the hunt?
We are now into what may be the fifth iteration and certainly its last Messibut somehow the Argentine genius is still producing amazing performances – almost as if it’s 2011 and he’s still conquering Europe with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
While the level of opposition in Major League Soccer should be taken into account when adjusting the stats for his burgeoning Inter Miami team, Messi’s exploits at the World Cup leave no doubt that he is still among the best.
With eight goals and four assists, he has led Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup final, and has a narrow lead in the race for the golden boot, one assist ahead of Mbappe with eight goals.
Victory on Sunday will make Messi the first player in history to captain his nation to consecutive World Cup victories.
But Lamine Yamal would have something to say about that.
Although the youngster has not been in the spotlight as he did when Spain won Euro 2024 – he has one goal and no assists in seven games – he has been a key part of Spain’s side that reached the World Cup finals for the first time since winning the 2010 edition.
Lamine Yamal enjoyed another impressive season for Barcelona – 24 goals and 18 assists in 45 games – despite missing the final month of the campaign through injury.
Barcelona won La Liga but fell in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, so Spain probably need to win the World Cup if they are to be named the best in the world.
Four times had an impressive 2025-26 – the Englishman scored 61 goals in 51 games in all club competitions as Bayern Munich won the league and cup double.
However, defeat in the semi-finals of the Champions League with his team and the World Cup with England may cost him.
“I can score 100 goals this season, but if I don’t win the Champions League or the World Cup, I probably won’t win the Ballon d’Or,” Kane said in November. “It’s the same with any player. You have to win those big trophies.”
Kane’s Bayern teammate Olise enjoyed an impressive second season in Bavaria, scoring 22 goals and setting up another 31 in 52 games.
The 24-year-old carried that form into the World Cup and has provided more assists (five) than anyone else in the competition, but he and his team-mates suffered a major setback in their 2-0 defeat to Spain.
French striker Kylian Mbappe he has scored eight goals this summer after scoring goals in La Liga and the Champions League.
He has been one of the most consistent goalscorers in world football for eight years now, but at the age of 27, he is yet to win the Ballon d’Or.
After a trophy-less season with Real Madrid and a World Cup, that doesn’t seem likely to change.
Haaland he won the Premier League Golden Boot for the third time in four seasons, but for silverware he had to earn the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup twice.
Scoring seven goals in Norway’s first World Cup in 28 years will cement his status as a legend at home.
Ballon d’Or winner Dembele he won Ligue 1 and the Champions League for the second season in a row, but injuries curtailed his output.
That said, an impressive World Cup performance – five goals and two assists – gave his chances a timely boost.
Partner of PSG Kvaratskhelia he stood out in the Champions League last season (10 goals and seven assists) but his country, Georgia, did not qualify for the World Cup.
Bellingham he should be credited for taking England to the semi-finals of the World Cup, but an injury-plagued campaign and lack of silverware has ruled him out.
Rice he will be in the top ten – the midfielder was key to Arsenal’s Premier League winning side and was a few penalties to become European champions.
