The equation has changed in the race for the Ballon d’Or

According to analysts, World Cup-winning Spanish midfielder Rodri is now the frontrunner. He made a great comeback in the World Cup after a long injury. He controlled Spain's midfield throughout the tournament and made a significant contribution to the team winning the title. In recognition of his extraordinary skills, he also won the best player of the tournament award. Combining this World Cup performance with the consistency of his club season, Rodri is now seen as the strongest contender for the Ballon d'Or.

In second place is the young star of Spain and Barcelona, ​​Lamine Yamal. At just 19 years old, he had an extraordinary season for both club and national team. In addition to scoring 24 goals and 17 assists for Barcelona, ​​he won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup. Yamal also played a major role in Spain's title win at crucial times in the World Cup. His maturity and consistent performance compared to his age have made him one of the contenders for the Ballon d'Or.

Lionel Messi has been placed in third place. Even at the age of 39, the Argentina captain has proven his superiority. He played an important role in taking the team to the final by scoring 8 goals and providing 4 assists in the World Cup. However, analysts believe that Messi's path to winning a potential ninth Ballon d'Or has become somewhat difficult due to Argentina's loss to Spain in the title-deciding match.

England captain Harry Kane is in fourth place. He scored 36 goals for Bayern Munich after a great season and helped the team win both the league and the cup. Kane maintained his consistency by scoring six goals in the World Cup as well. He is also considered a strong contender in terms of personal statistics and club success.

The last name in the top five is Kylian Mbappe. The French forward was in the news for scoring consecutive goals in La Liga and the Champions League for Real Madrid. In addition to winning the Golden Boot in the World Cup, he has further strengthened his position by setting the record for the highest scorer in World Cup history. However, it is believed that his path to the Ballon d'Or will not be easy as he is slightly behind some of his other rivals in terms of team success.

The winner of the 2026 Ballon d'Or will be announced at a grand ceremony to be held in London on October 26. Football analysts see this year's competition as one of the most competitive Ballon d'Or competitions in recent times, considering his post-World Cup performance.