Following Paris Saint-Germain’s dramatic Champions League final triumph against Arsenal, the race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or has been reshaped. Ousmane Dembele, who played a key role in the final, has emerged as the leading contender to retain the prestigious individual award.
Dembele converted a crucial penalty in Budapest after a 1-1 draw forced a shootout, which PSG won. His overall campaign included three goals in the semi-final against Bayern Munich, helping his team advance 6-5 on aggregate. The French winger ended the season with 20 goals and 12 assists, lifting multiple trophies including Ligue 1 and the UEFA Super Cup.
However, several other stars have strong cases for the golden ball. Harry Kane had a remarkable individual season for Bayern Munich, scoring 65 goals and adding seven assists. He won the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and DFL-Supercup, but his team’s early UCL exit may hurt his chances.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Dembele’s teammate, also impressed with 22 goals and 12 assists. He won a penalty in the final and was instrumental throughout PSG’s campaign. Other PSG players in contention include Vitinha, who contributed seven goals and ten assists, and was praised for his midfield control.
Lamine Yamal continues to shine for Barcelona, with 25 goals and 20 assists, winning La Liga and the Supercopa de Espana. Bayern’s Michael Olise recorded 23 goals and 33 assists, while Kylian Mbappe scored 48 goals for Real Madrid but missed out on major silverware.
The final outcome will depend on how voters weigh individual performances versus team success, but Dembele’s clutch performances in big games give him an edge.