The competition for the 2026 Ballon d'Or is intensifying, with players' performances at the recent World Cup significantly influencing the rankings. Rodri, who was instrumental in Spain's World Cup victory, currently leads The Independent's power rankings for the award.
The Spanish midfielder's influence at the heart of Spain's midfield earned him the Golden Ball at the World Cup. This achievement, combined with his 2024 Ballon d'Or win, positions him strongly for a second individual accolade in October.
England captain Harry Kane remains the odds-on favourite for the award, despite not dominating the World Cup as he did the Bundesliga in 2025/26. Kane scored 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern Munich, securing a league and cup double, and contributed six goals for England at the World Cup.
Nineteen-year-old Lamine Yamal is also a strong contender, having won both the European Championship and the World Cup with Spain. He also recorded 24 goals and 18 assists for Barcelona in a LaLiga-winning season.
Kylian Mbappe, with 10 goals at the World Cup making him the tournament's all-time record goalscorer, and eight-time winner Lionel Messi, who propelled Argentina to the final with eight goals, are also in the top five contenders.