Ballon d’Or 2026: 3 Players Meet All Criteria, One Escapes Kylian Mbappé

Ahead of the October 26, 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembélé, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are identified as the top contenders based on France Football’s criteria. Kylian Mbappé, despite his individual performances, is disadvantaged by the lack of major team trophies this season, similar to Lionel Messi and Harry Kane. The award considers individual performance, team success, and fair-play, which benefits players like Yamal, Dembélé, and Kvaratskhelia.