2026 BALLON D'OR FULL LIST OF NOMINEES REVEALED AS HARRY KANE EMERGES AS FAVOURITE

 

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The nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or have been announced, setting up a race that includes some of soccer’s biggest stars and gives voters plenty to consider after a World Cup year.

Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland and Rodri are among the players competing for the award alongside reigning winner Ousmane Dembélé.

This year’s voting carries an added wrinkle because performances at the 2026 World Cup fall within the eligibility period. That has reshaped the race after the summer tournament, with Kane sitting atop the odds while Yamal has gained ground after helping Spain win the World Cup.

The winner will be revealed on Oct. 26 in London.

Harry Kane Leads 2026 Ballon d’Or Odds After Huge Season

Kane enters the race as the clear betting favorite, with his odds giving him a 67% implied probability of winning his first Ballon d’Or, according to Covers.com.

The Bayern Munich striker has both individual numbers and team accomplishments working in his favor.

Kane scored 50 goals across all competitions while helping Bayern capture a domestic double, ending his long wait for major team silverware. He also helped England make a deep run at the World Cup.

Those accomplishments have put Kane in a commanding position ahead of the vote, but he is not running unopposed.

Yamal has experienced one of the biggest swings in the market after playing a key role in Spain’s World Cup victory.

The Barcelona star previously climbed 22 percentage points to a 26% implied probability before settling at 17%. His performance on soccer’s biggest international stage has helped turn him into one of Kane’s most prominent challengers.

Rodri, Yamal’s Spain teammate, is also in contention at 6%. The Manchester City midfielder helped anchor Spain during its championship run and has gained support despite playing a position that does not typically produce the eye-catching scoring numbers of the award’s attacking contenders.

Kylian Mbappé Loses Ground Despite 42-Goal Season

Mbappé remains one of the biggest names in the Ballon d’Or field, but his odds fell after the World Cup.

The Real Madrid star dropped 18 percentage points to approximately 14% following the tournament.

Mbappé scored 42 goals for Real Madrid last season, but the club did not win a trophy and exited the Champions League early. France also missed the World Cup final before losing a 6-4 match against England for third place.

Despite those results, Mbappé recently made it clear that he believes his individual season belongs in the Ballon d’Or conversation.

He said it would be a “good year for him” to capture the award.

Lionel Messi is further down the market at 3% despite his team reaching another World Cup final.

Ballon d’Or Winner Will Be Decided by International Journalists

France Football and UEFA will co-organize the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on Oct. 26.

A jury of international journalists representing the top 100 countries in the latest FIFA rankings selects the men’s winner. Each voter selects a top 10, with players receiving between 15 and one point based on their placement.

Dembélé won the 2025 Ballon d’Or with 1,380 points, accounting for 92% of the total points available.

The 2026 ceremony will also recognize the top young player, goalkeeper and club.

Yamal is among the 10 nominees for Men’s Young Talent of the Year, joining Pau Cubarsi, Lennart Karl, Warren Zaire-Emery and others.

The Yashin Trophy field for goalkeeper of the year  Thibaut Courtois, David Raya, Unai Simón, Yassine Bonou and Emiliano Martínez.

Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Bodo/Glimt, Flamengo and Paris Saint-Germain have been nominated for Men’s Club of the Year.

- Perry Miller Carpenter

MOST VALUABLE TEENAGERS IN WORLD FOOTBALL

 

BARCELONA FUME OVER 'UNFAIR' DECISION AS THEY POINT FINGER AT THE REFEREE FOR INTER DEFEAT

Barcelona stars Pedri and Eric Garcia and manager Hansi Flick took aim at referee Szymon Marciniak after feeling aggrieved at some decisions in their 4-3 extra-time defeat by Inter Milan

Referee Szymon Marciniak wasn't a popular man with Barcelona players(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Barcelona pointed the finger at referee Szymon Marciniak after losing their Champions League semi-final second leg against Inter Milan in the most dramatic of circumstances. Barca appeared to be going through to the final after Raphinha's 87th-minute goal put them 3-2 up on the night, only to capitulate as Inter roared back.

Veteran defender Francesco Acerbi popped up in centre-forward position to turn in Denzel Dumfries' cross in the 93rd minute to level the scores at 3-3 on the night and 6-6 on aggregate and send the tie to extra time.

Davide Frattesi then turned match-winner, picking out the bottom corner with a cool finish, while Yann Sommer produced some stunning saves to preserve the lead.

It was a wonderful, see-sawing match packed full of goals and incidents and Marciniak had some important calls to make. He awarded Inter a penalty for a foul by Pau Cubarsi on Lautaro Martinez after VAR sent him to the pitchside monitor and later turned a Barca spot-kick into a free-kick after VAR decided Henrikh Mkhitaryan's foul on Lamine Yamal was outside the box.

Barca also felt aggrieved at Inter's late equaliser, believing Dumfries had fouled Gerard Martin in the build-up. Manager Hansi Flick and substitute Pau Victor were booked for their protestations in a feisty atmosphere on the touchline and experienced Polish official Marciniak was on the receiving end of some barbs post-match too.

“This isn’t the first time this has happened to us with this referee, and I think UEFA should look into it. There are things that are hard to explain," Barca midfielder Pedri told El Partidazo de Cope.

“There were many situations. Every 50/50 went their way, and on the penalty on Lamine, which was later called a free-kick, he didn’t give Mkhitaryan a yellow card, which would’ve been his second.”

Lautaro Martinez won a penalty for Pau Cubarsi's tackle in the first half(Image: Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

Eric Garcia also took aim Marciniak in an interview with Movistar Plus. "Football has been cruel to us," he said. "I have come to Inter Milan's stadium three times and things always happen that are beyond our control. We all know what happened with this referee when we came here last time. But it's no excuse, they have scored six goals against us."

Flick followed the lead of his players in his press conference. "I don't want to talk too much about the referee, but every decision that was 50-50 went (Inter's) way," he said.

Hansi Flick was booked for his protestations after Inter's late equaliser (Image: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

"I am disappointed, but not with my team. They tried everything. It's the way it is. We are out, but next year we will try again to make the fans happy.

"It makes me sad... My team did an excellent job. I don't like talking about the referee... I've told him what I think, but I'm not going to say it here what I've said."

Turning his attention to La Liga, he added: "Each player, when they get home, can look in the mirror and be proud of themselves. We'll analyse the game calmly and see what we can do."

- Felix Keith

COPA DEL REY: BARCELONA, ATLÉTICO MADRID PLAY OUT THRILLING 4-4 DRAW IN FIRST LEG OF SEMI- FINAL

Barcelona surged to a 4-2 lead against Atletico after conceding two goals in the opening six minutes, only for Diego Simeone’s side to fight back in the closing minutes of the pulsating encounter in Barcelona on Tuesday.
Atletico Madrid conceded a two-goal lead then fought back from two down in a wild 4-4 draw with Barcelona in a Copa del Rey semi-final first leg thriller on Tuesday.

Barcelona's Gavi (centre) fights for the ball with Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, left, and Marcos Llorente. AP

After Diego Simeone’s side scored twice in the opening six minutes through Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann, Barca raced through the gears in a high-octane performance.

The superb Pedri Gonzalez pulled one back with Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez and Robert Lewandowski going on to score.

Marcos Llorente netted for Atletico before Alexander Sorloth struck in the 93rd minute.

- Agence France-Presse

ARSENAL EYE TRANSFER FOR BARCELONA STAR WHO 'REJECTED LIVERPOOL AND CHELSEA' - BUT THERE'S A CATCH

Arsenal are reportedly lining up a move for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, who has previously rejected interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool and Chelsea

Arsenal are reportedly keen on signing Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, who has previously turned down offers from rivals Liverpool and Chelsea. The Uruguayan centre-back has become a fan favourite at the Catalan club due to his leadership skills and robust challenges.

A hamstring injury has kept him sidelined for much of the season, with the 25 year old only recently making his return in the 4-0 victory over Barbastro last weekend. Despite this, he is yet to fully win over head coach Hansi Flick, who prefers Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez as his central defensive duo.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Arsenal are preparing a January bid for Araujo, something the player is said to be seriously considering. It's reported that Araujo has grown frustrated with certain situations at Barcelona, causing concern among the club's hierarchy.

While Barcelona would be hesitant to agree to a loan deal this winter, they would consider parting ways with Araujo if they receive a substantial and irresistible offer. With just 18 months left on his contract and extension talks stalled, Barcelona have already rejected an offer from Juventus this month due to his importance to the squad.

However, it's suggested they would entertain offers around €70million (£58million), reports the Mirror.

Unlike Juventus, Arsenal have the financial strength to make the move happen. Araujo has always been "curious" about testing himself in the Premier League, and Mikel Arteta's style of play is said to suit him.

However, it's worth noting that Arsenal already have a strong defensive line-up, with their focus this transfer window being on securing a world-class striker. Araujo's decision to turn down a move to the Premier League in 2022, despite lucrative offers from both Liverpool and Chelsea, will certainly endear him to the Gunners' fans if a transfer does go ahead.

According to Sport, he rejected the two English powerhouses when his previous contract was nearing its end, choosing instead to sign a new deal for less money than he would have earned in the Premier League. In an interview with Cadena SER earlier this week, Araujo avoided speculation about his future, but confirmed that talks were underway regarding a possible extension at Barcelona.

"We are talking with the club about my renewal," he said. "But I am fully focused on playing again and getting minutes under my belt."

- Kasra Moradi