Lionel Messi 'dragging' Argentina to World Cup glory would make him 'big favourite' for Ballon d'Or
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Updated 19/07/2026 at 08:53 GMT+1
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The race for the 2026 Ballon d'Or continues to heat up, and after his performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, could Lionel Messi be in line to take the crown ahead of the likes of Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe?
Ballon d'Or contenders
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Ahead of the awards ceremony taking place in October, the top contenders will have seen the World Cup as an opportunity to impact the thinking of the journalists tasked with picking a winner of the prestigious prize.
While the tournament has proven to be fertile ground for some, others may have just fallen short and their chances have been hit.
But who are the top contenders and where do they stand currently?
Harry Kane
Heading into the tournament, the England captain was arguably the favourite for the award following a remarkable 61-goal season for Bayern Munich.
Kane has done his chances no harm with six goals for his country at the World Cup.
However, how much will his lacklustre displays in the quarter-finals and semi-finals against Norway and Argentina respectively play into the thinking ahead of the vote?
Kylian Mbappe
Despite 42 goals for Real Madrid, it has been largely accepted that last season was one of collective failure for the Spanish giants with Mbappe, along with the rest of his team-mates, not escaping blame for that.
However, blasting France through the World Cup to reach the semi-finals propelled him into consideration for the award until Les Bleus came undone against Spain.
He will hope to at least collect the Golden Boot if he is to argue his case.
Lionel Messi
At age 39, and playing in MLS for Inter Miami, few would have expected Messi to even be in the conversation for this year’s award as recently as last month.
However, the Argentine has looked like he is somewhere close to his peak in North America, powering his country to a second successive final and leading the top-scorer chart in the process.
His match-winning display against England has gone some way to strengthening his claim for a record-extending ninth crown.
The expert view
TNT Sports caught up with Spanish football expert Phil Kitromilides, who gave his take on Messi's chances.
He said: "If Argentina win the final, then Lionel Messi is - I wouldn't say almost odds-on - but he would be very, very, very close to being big favourite for the Ballon d'Or, simply because of what he's achieved at the tournament.
"The MLS is not a major league across the world, but dominating a World Cup, as he has done, finishing top scorer and dragging Argentina through every round into the final and potentially winning it, that would be grounds for winning the Ballon d'Or.
"I wouldn't say that Messi is the best player in the world anymore, but if we are judging the Ballon d'Or on being who has had the biggest impact on their side in a successful season, or a successful major tournament, then Messi with Argentina, I don't think anyone's had a bigger impact than him.
"So if Argentina win, Messi has a huge chance."
Lamine Yamal
One player who could deny Messi his World Cup crowning glory is Spain's young superstar Yamal.
With 24 goals and 18 assists, the winger, who has only just turned 19, helped Barcelona to another La Liga success last season.
But with his side failing to make any notable impact in the UEFA Champions League, the World Cup was expected to be the arena where he staked his claim for the award.
While he has looked lively during Spain’s run, he has just a single goal to his name so far and would have to do something special in the final if he is to swing the vote in his favour and improve on last year’s runners-up spot.
Rodri
The 2024 winner is back to something approaching his best following a lengthy layoff with an ACL injury.
The beating heart of Spain’s midfield could well lead his side to a second successive international honour following European Championship success two years ago.
With 655 successful passes, he leads the way in this metric at the tournament and his on-pitch influence may once again factor into the votes he receives.
However, while his last victory came off the back of a dominant domestic season at Manchester City, the failure to capture the Premier League title this time around could impact his chances.
Michael Olise
The Bayern winger registered 29 assists in all competitions for the Bundesliga side last season and leads the charts at the World Cup with five to his name.
An outside shout for the award, it is likely France’s semi-final defeat will mean he will struggle to get the nod ahead of others.
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 04: Michael Olise #11 of France reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Paraguay and France at Philadelphia Stadium on July 04, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Perhaps the standout player for Paris Saint-Germain last season, even among their array of stars, Kvaratskhelia played a key role in their successful defence of the Champions League.
His 10 goals and six assists in the competition, as well as winning the decisive equalising penalty in the final, earned him the player of the tournament award but given his native Georgia’s failure to reach the World Cup, he may slip from the consciousness of those casting their votes.
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Ousmane Dembele
Four World Cups and another Champions League crown highlight the credentials of the current holder of the award.
However, an injury-impacted season suggests that he might struggle to convince voters he will make it back-to-back successes.
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