Paris Saint-Germain’s 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup has added a new dimension to the 2026 Ballon d’Or race.
The French champions began the new season on a winning note, securing another European trophy after defeating Arsenal in the Champions League final in May.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put PSG ahead before Aston Villa’s Brian Madjo restored parity before half-time. Désiré Doué then struck in the second half to seal victory for the French side.
The triumph gave PSG back-to-back UEFA Super Cup titles and further strengthened the claims of their leading players in the race for football’s most prestigious individual award.
However, the battle remains open, with performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup expected to play a major role in determining the eventual winner.
Current Top Five Ballon d’Or Contenders
1. Harry Kane — England/Bayern Munich
Kane currently has the strongest statistical case for the award. The Bayern Munich striker scored 73 goals during the campaign as the German giants won the domestic double and reached the Champions League semi-finals.
2. Ousmane Dembélé — France/PSG
The reigning Ballon d’Or winner remains firmly in contention. Dembélé scored six goals at the World Cup, including a hat-trick against Norway, while PSG’s success domestically and in Europe has further strengthened his bid to retain the award.
3. Lamine Yamal — Spain/Barcelona
Yamal played a key role in Barcelona’s LaLiga and Supercopa de España triumphs. Spain’s success at the World Cup has also boosted his candidacy, despite the youngster having a relatively quiet individual tournament.
4. Rodri — Spain/Manchester City
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner enjoyed another impressive campaign, claiming the World Cup Golden Ball after featuring in all eight of Spain’s matches. He also helped Manchester City win the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, although the absence of Premier League and Champions League titles has affected his chances.
5. Kylian Mbappé — France/Real Madrid
Mbappé delivered a standout World Cup campaign, scoring 10 goals and providing four assists as France finished fourth.
The Real Madrid forward also became the first player to win the Golden Boot in LaLiga, the Champions League and the World Cup in the same calendar year.
However, his lack of major team trophies has weakened his overall claim to the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
With the season still unfolding, the latest rankings suggest the race remains highly competitive, with Kane, Dembélé, Yamal, Rodri and Mbappé all having strong claims to football’s biggest individual prize.
