Posted by Chinenye on Thu 16th Jul, 2026 - tori.ng
The race for football's biggest individual prize has taken an exciting new turn following the latest World Cup action.
(Ballon d’Or. Photo by Daily Post)
The top four contenders for this year's Ballon d'Or have emerged ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has now become the frontrunner for the award, having provided two assists as Argentina defeated England 2-1 to book their spot in the final against Spain.
According to Polymarket, the 39-year-old currently holds a 31.7% chance of winning this year's Ballon d'Or.
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal follows closely in second place with a 30.9% probability, while England captain Harry Kane sits at 13.5% and France's Ousmane Dembele trails with a 3.1% chance.
The 2026 Ballon d'Or winner will be unveiled at a gala ceremony on October 26.