The biggest intrigue of the football year. Final 10 contenders for the Ballon d’Or announced

Organizers of the 70th anniversary Ballon d’Or ceremony have officially finalized the list of the 10 best footballers in the world competing for the top individual award of 2026.

Details: Following the publication of the voting results from 30th to 11th place, an elite group of 10 superstars who received the most votes from the jury was determined. The list of finalists includes both legendary winners from previous years and outstanding representatives of a new generation of world football who shone in domestic championships, the Champions League and international tournaments.

The 10 finalists for the 2026 Ballon d’Or are:

• Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain and France);
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City and Norway);
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich and England);
• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain and Georgia);
• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid and France);
• Lionel Messi (Inter Miami and Argentina);
• Michael Olise (Bayern Munich and France);
• Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain and Spain);
• Rodri (Barcelona and Spain);
• Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain).

It is worth noting that this year’s ceremony is being held under the strictest secrecy, and the winner was not informed of the result in advance. According to most analysts and sports publications, the decisive battle for the coveted golden ball will unfold between Barcelona’s young leader Lamine Yamal, Bayern’s English goalscorer Harry Kane and Real Madrid’s French forward Kylian Mbappé.

Reminder: One step away from the coveted top 10: places 22 to 11 announced in Ballon d'Or voting