Spain lifted the World Cup trophy on July 19, bringing home the hardware after a hard-fought extra-time win over Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the final at MeLife Stadium. That was the largest World Cup in history, and now, with the dust settled, the biggest individual prize in soccer is already on everyone’s mind: the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
The GOAT’s Record and His Challengers
This isn’t just any award; it’s the sport’s greatest individual prize, voted on by an international panel of soccer journalists. The 2026 award spans a huge period, covering performances from August 1, 2025, right through to the end of July 2026. That means the entire club season and the World Cup are all factored in. Lionel Messi, the undisputed GOAT, has won this trophy a record eight times. He is absolutely on the shortlist this year, no surprise there. But get this: the early frontrunners are looking like Spain’s Lamine Yamal and England’s Harry Kane. These guys put in incredible shifts for both their club teams and their national squads, and they’re gunning for that top spot.
US Stars Made Their Mark on the World Stage
Speaking of national teams, our own US forward Folarin Balogun made some noise at the World Cup. He celebrated with teammates after scoring the team’s third goal during their Group D match against Paraguay on June 12 at the Los Angeles Stadium. Later in that same match, US midfielder Giovanni Reyna found the net for the team’s fourth goal, with Panama’s Cesar Samudio failing to save the shot. Those were big moments for the US side on the world stage.
Now, with the World Cup buzz fading, soccer’s biggest stars will catch their breath for a few weeks. But the European leagues are about to fire up again in August and September, running straight through May. The clock is already ticking for these incredible players to cement their legacy and make their case for next year’s Ballon d’Or. Can anyone truly stand in the way of Messi adding a ninth trophy, or will a new star rise to claim soccer’s ultimate individual honor? We’re about to find out when those club seasons kick off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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