With the 2026 World Cup now over, the conversations have moved not only to the new football season, but the Ballon d’Or awards.

The organizers have already confirmed that the winner will be announced during a gala on Monday, October 26.

A lot of names have been thrown in the mix, with a new name likely to be handed the prize at the event.

DAILY POST has now compiled its power rankings of the top 10 players that should be in the running.

1. Lamine Yamal: Many observers believe Yamal has jumped to the front of the queue, after Spain became world champions. At 19 years, the Barcelona forward could become the youngest ever recipient of the award, after a successful year with club and country.

2. Lionel Messi: There is still a big chance that Messi ends up with his ninth Ballon d’Or award. At 39 years, the Argentina captain almost led his country to a successive World Cup title, while pulling up impressive numbers for both goals and assists.

3. Kylian Mbappe: Although France left the tournament with nothing, Mbappe did his personal brand no damage. The Real Madrid forward finished with 10 goals and is now the player with the most ever World Cup goals. Thiis is in addition with his Pichichi award from LaLiga.

4. Harry Kane: No footballer in the world scored more club goals during the 2025–26 season than Kane. The England captain found the back of the net a staggering 61 for Bayern Munich, as they dominated German football yet again, cruising to Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal success.

5. Ousmane Dembele: The Paris Saint-Germain attacker has every chance of winning it back-to-back. In 2025–26, as Ligue 1 giants successfully defended both its Ligue 1 and Champions League titles, as Dembele scored 20 goals.

6. Erling Haaland: Norway reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup, mostly powered by Haaland’s goals. He scored seven goals, including a brace in their famous 2–1 win over Brazil in the round of 16, after a season in which he tallied 38 goals for Manchester City.

7. Rodri: The Manchester City midfielder won the prize against all odds in 2024, beating Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, who was heavy favourite. Having been named the best player at the World Cup, he could yet surprise the football world again.

8. Jude Bellingham: Despite finishing the club campaign without silverware, Bellingham threw his name into the ring with a fine outing at the World Cup. The midfielder was the driving force behind England’s run to the semifinals, producing seven goals.

9. Michael Olise: Olise finished as the top assists provider at the 2026 World Cup. Before then, during the 2025–26 season with Bayern Munich, Olise scored 22 goals as the Bavarians swept to the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles, producing an astonishing 31 assists. He was eventually named Bundesliga Player of the Season.

10. Declan Rice: The Arsenal midfield powerhouse is not out of place on this list. Rice was a key member of Mikel Arteta’s squad, as they fought for four trophies and eventually ended up with the Gunners’ first title in 22 years. At the World Cup, he was an indispensable member of Thomas Tuchel’s squad, playing through injury and fatigue.