An Early Insight Into The 2025-26 Ballon D’or Race

By Ayushman Bisht ’28

Each new season of professional soccer brings new, talented players into the spotlight, all competing for soccer’s most prestigous individual award, the Ballon D’or. Organized by the France Magazine France Football, the Ballon D’or awards the best soccer player in the world for one season, judged based on individual performance, team achievement, and fair play.

Last season, Paris Saint-Germain attacker, Ousmane Dembélé won the award with Barcalona’s wonderkid Lamine Yamal coming in 2nd place and Paris Saint-Germain’s midfielder Vitinha coming in 3rd place. But this season, the entire landscape has changed, as the race is looking completely different.

Let’s go through the early top 10 contenders for the Ballon D’or in the 2025-2026 season:

10th: Scott Mctominay

The Napoli midfielder won the Serie A Player of the Season, where he scored 12 goals and assisted 3 times in 34 league games last season. This season, he is still on fire, winning the Supercoppa Italiana against Bologna just 4 days ago and scoring a bicycle kick against Denmark to help Scotland qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1998. He is clearly Napoli’s most impactful player through his constant pressing, late runs into the box, and superior game awarness. Midfielders rarely contend for the Ballon D’or, but Mctominay might have a chance.

9th: Nuno Mendes

Almost unaminously crowned the best left-back in the world, Nuno Mendes has turned Paris Saint-Germain into a powerhouse defensively with his agility, constant overlapping runs, and one on one defending skills. He was a huge factor in Paris Saint-Germain winning a sextuple this year as well as Portugal winning the Nations League. Additionally, his performances in big games against elite wingers such as Lamine Yamal, Micheal Olise, and Mohammed Kudus has been superb. Although Mendes is currently injured, as long as he recovers and gets back to his previous form, he will most likely be nominated.

8th: Phil Foden

At one point, Phil Foden was one of the most electric wonderkids in the game as he won the Premier League Player of the Year in 2024. But, with subpar performances last season, Phil Foden is looking for redemption this season. With 7 goals in 15 games, Foden has been key to Manchester City being 2nd place in the Premier League standings. If City win trophies this season and Foden sustains his form, he could have a chance at the top 3.

7th: Declan Rice

Currently, Arsenal are sitting at the top of the Champions League and Premier League standings, and we have nobody to blame other than Declan Rice. Arguably the best central defending midfielder in the game, Declan Rice has been so impactful in being able to control the tempo of every game with his passing and positioning. His ability to win the ball and jumpstart Arsenal’s attack from the back is the reason why they are so successful this season.

6th: Vitinha

Coming 3rd in the Ballon D’or last season, Vitinha excels in controlling the midfield, dribbling through tight spaces and creating chances for his team. Even though Vitinha has performed in big games against Tottenham, Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern, Paris Saint-Germain hasn’t been at the level they were last season, as they sit 2nd in Ligue 1 and 3rd in the Champions League mainly due to the amount of injuries they have. However, if they go on to win the Champions League and Ligue 1 next year, Vitinha could easily move into the top 3.

5th: Lamine Yamal

Barcelona’s wonderkid, Lamine Yamal, was arguably their best player last season, helping the club win La Liga, the Spanish Supercup and Copa Del Rey as well as reaching the Champions League semifinals. However, this season has been a little different for the Spanish superstar. Early on, Yamal experienced rough periods of bad form, as he didn’t play well in big games against Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. However, in the last month, he has caught on fire, scoring 7 goals and asisting 6 times. His recent performances have led to him winning the La Liga Player of the Month award and Barcelona sitting on top of La Liga. If Yamal sustains his form and wins the Champions League, he could become the youngest ever Ballon D’or winner.

4th: Pedri

Pedri is simply a game changer for Barcelona. In stretches without Pedri this season, it seems like Barcelona can not create chances and struggle to keep possession. Showing shades of Iniesta and Xavi, Pedri has been Barca’s best player this season by far, through the way he controls the game as a midfielder. His defensive workrate, ball recoveries and passing specifically has been excellent this season and places him high in the Ballon D’or race.

3rd: Harry Kane

Bayern have won 24 out of their 26 games this season, being 1st in the Bundesliga and 2nd in the Champions League table. Harry Kane has been the focal point of their attack, scoring 30 goals already in only 25 games. Kane’s unique passing and shooting ability make him one of the best strikers in the world and the only question is whether he is going to win the Champions League and propell England to win the World Cup.

2nd: Erling Haaland

Providing 29 goal contributions in 23 games, Erling Haaland has been a machine for Manchester City, almost recreating his first season at the club. Although Haaland isn’t really an all around player, his superior goal scoring ability has propelled a lackluster City team to contend for trophies this season, which gives him a great chance at winning the Ballon D’or. If you want a player to soley score goals, Haaland is the best in the game.

1st: Kylian Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé is back to his prime again, unsuprisingly in a World Cup year, as he has provided 34 goal contributions in just 23 games which is the most for any player this season. This version of Mbappé is genuinely scary and if he can win the Champions League or World Cup, he will get his first Ballon D’or with the absurd numbers he has. However, he could fall down this list if Real Madrid’s back line continues to concede multiple goals every single game.

This list can change significantly throughout the season with tournaments such as the Champions League and World Cup, but serves as a early prediction for the award.