The 2026 men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or nominees were officially announced Tuesday, and if you thought the favorites were a lock, you haven’t been watching. This year’s race, especially for the women’s award, just got blown wide open. Reigning three-time winner Aitana Bonmatí is off the list entirely after a leg injury sidelined her for much of last season. Talk about a seismic shift!
Men’s Race is Wide Open With Surprising Favorites
Over on the men’s side, this thing is truly wide open, but OddsChecker.com has Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane as the slight favorite. And honestly, how can he not be? The dude absolutely torched defenses last season with a mind-blowing 61 goals in just 51 matches across all competitions. Plus, he dropped six goals for an England squad that went all the way to the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals, finishing third. If Kane takes it home, it’s his first Ballon d’Or and the first for an Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001. That’s a huge deal!
Right behind him, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé are breathing down his neck. Let’s not forget Rodri, the 2024 winner, who along with Yamal, led Spain to their second-ever World Cup triumph. Then you’ve got giants like eight-time winner Lionel Messi, still doing the impossible at 39, banging in eight goals as Argentina reached the World Cup final. Dembélé, Haaland, and Bellingham are all further down the list too, despite strong World Cup showings. This one could truly go to anyone!
The Women’s Award Is Pure Chaos After Shocking News
But the women’s Ballon d’Or? That’s where the real drama is at, with Bonmatí out of the picture. This award feels more unpredictable than it has in years. London City Lionesses’ Alèxia Putellas, a two-time winner herself, has to be a major contender. She scored 20 goals across all competitions last season and led Barca to both Liga F and UEFA Women’s Champions League titles in 2025-26. That’s a killer resume.
But hold up, Arsenal’s Alessia Russo is right there too, leading her squad to the FIFA Women’s Champion Cup title while netting 24 goals. And Manchester City’s Bunny Shaw? She’s absolutely in the mix with a phenomenal 27 goals, with City winning the Women’s Super League. My favorite part, though? Rose Lavelle is the *only* American rep among the nominees, and she absolutely earned it. Lavelle led Gotham FC to the 2025 NWSL championship AND the 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup title. What a run for her!
So, who walks away with the most prestigious individual award in soccer? Will Kane finally get his long-deserved moment? Can one of the younger Spanish stars like Yamal or Rodri pull off the upset? On the women’s side, is Putellas the favorite, or will Russo, Shaw, or our very own American hero, Rose Lavelle, make history? We’ll find out when the winners are announced on October 26 in London. Get ready, because this is going to be epic!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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