Harry Kane may have taken home the men’s Ballon d’Or at the 2026 edition of the awards ceremony, but where did his challengers finish in the rankings?
The Bayern Munich and England striker beat the very best footballers in the world to the prestigious honour, becoming just the fifth Englishman ever to win it.
Some thought it might finally be Kylian Mbappé’s time to collect the award, but the Real Madrid and France forward had to settle for second place, the highest he has placed in the voting in his career to date.
Lamine Yamal was among the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or after helping Spain win the FIFA World Cup this past summer. The Barcelona winger is the only teenager to finish in the top three and he’s done so twice now, having come second in 2025.
Former Manchester City midfielder Rodri, now with Barça, came fourth after making a huge impact at the World Cup following his return from a long-term injury last season.
Lionel Messi, who holds the record for most Ballon d’Or wins with eight, came fifth in the voting. The Argentina legend may no longer ply his trade for one of Europe’s top clubs, but he was sensational during the World Cup.
Messi finished ahead of Paris Saint-Germain attackers Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and last year’s winner Ousmane Dembélé, City striker Erling Haaland, Bayern’s Michael Olise and Spain midfielder Fabian Ruiz.
Men’s Ballon d’Or 2026 rankings:
1) Harry Kane
2) Kylian Mbappé
3) Lamine Yamal
4) Rodri
5) Lionel Messi
6) Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
7) Ousmane Dembélé
8) Erling Haaland
9) Michael Olise
10) Fabián Ruiz
Meanwhile, on the women’s side, Alexia Putellas won the Ballon d’Or for the third time in her career after winning the Treble with Barcelona Femení last season. The Spanish midfielder now plays for Women’s Super League outfit London City Lionesses.
She finished ahead of Polish striker and teammate Ewa Pajor and City forward Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, who scored 27 goals in all competitions last year.
Former Chelsea Women’s attacker Pernille Harder finished seventh in the voting, while Arsenal striker Alessia Russon came ninth.
Malawi forward Temwa Chawinga made history by placing tenth in the rankings, becoming the first African woman to breaking into the top ten.
Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 rankings:
1) Alexia Putellas
2) Ewa Pajor
3) Khadija Shaw
4) Melchie Dumornay
5) Patri Guijarro
6) Caroline Graham Hansen
7) Pernille Harder
8) Claudia Pina
9) Alessia Russo
10) Temwa Chawinga
Ballon d’Or 2026 – Every winner from this year’s ceremony
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