GiveMeSport has published an updated ranking of the leading contenders for the Ballon d'Or 2026 ahead of the new European club season.

The previous edition was released shortly after the FIFA World Cup, so it was hardly surprising to see Rodri at the top after the Spain midfielder was named the tournament's best player. However, a month on, his momentum has faded slightly. The new No.1 is Lamine Yamal, who enjoyed a spectacular club campaign last season and has emerged as one of the biggest stars in world football.

Rodri has now slipped to third, with Harry Kane moving ahead of him after recently claiming the Golden Boot. The latest rankings underline just how competitive the race for football's most prestigious individual prize could be.

The current top 10 Ballon d'Or contenders are:

1. Lamine Yamal (Spain)
2. Harry Kane (England)
3. Rodri (Spain)
4. Lionel Messi (Argentina)
5. Ousmane Dembélé (France)
6. Kylian Mbappé (France)
7. Michael Olise (France)
8. Jude Bellingham (England)
9. Declan Rice (England)
10. Erling Haaland (Norway)