The year 2026 is approaching, and with the Premier League as the only major league in action this weekend alongside the ongoing AFCON, it’s a good time to review the Ballon d’Or power rankings for the 2025/26 season before the new year begins.
Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe are considered the leading candidates, but with reigning winner Ousmane Dembele sidelined due to injury, how do they compare? Are there any other stars from Bayern, City, Madrid, or Barcelona making the list? Let’s delve in.
Bruno Fernandes may not be the top name on many Ballon d’Or lists, but as a deep-lying midfielder in a less than ideal role, he’s still achieving impressive stats under Ruben Amorim with five goals and seven assists in a challenging Premier League.
The Portuguese international is a key chance creator, averaging about three key passes per game. Without Fernandes, Manchester United would likely not be in the European race, currently sitting in seventh place.
Alex Grimaldo’s performance as a left-back is noteworthy, and although Bayer Leverkusen isn’t in the Bundesliga title hunt, they are still having a solid season in 2025/26.
Grimaldo has four goals and four assists, averaging 2.5 key passes and 2.8 dribbles per match. Such production from a left-back is quite rare.
Raphinha may be overshadowed by Lamine Yamal, but the 2024/25 Ballon d’Or candidate is still in the running this season despite some injury troubles.
With seven goals and three assists, Raphinha is gradually getting back to form. Fitting well into the Hansi Flick system, he has developed into a potent finisher and an offensive threat.
While Liverpool deals with controversy following their summer transfer activities, Luis Diaz is thriving in Bayern Munich’s strong offensive lineup.
Diaz, bringing his exciting play and skills to the Bundesliga, has scored eight goals and provided six assists this season, despite criticism for inconsistency during his time at Liverpool.
Michael Olise is an exceptional talent. He combines intelligence and technical skill with athleticism, allowing him to create scoring opportunities and evade defenders.
As the year 2025’s top assist provider, Olise deserves more recognition for his contributions to Bayern, arguably surpassing Kylian Mbappe’s impact at a struggling Real Madrid.
Nico Paz makes the top five in the Ballon d’Or race, edging past Bayern’s talented wingers. Currently shining at Como, it won’t be long until he rejoins Real Madrid.
Paz is driving Como’s success, showcasing remarkable technical skills and intelligence beyond what is expected from most players his age.
Kylian Mbappe is providing significant contributions beyond just goals for Real Madrid, recording 2.8 dribbles and 2.7 key passes per game, and currently sitting with 18 goals in the European Golden Boot race.
Despite strong individual play, he struggles in high-stakes matches, and Real Madrid’s overall performance is impacting his effectiveness.
No one scores goals like Erling Haaland does right now. His ability to find the net is keeping Manchester City competitive in the title race after a slow start to the season.
With excellent positioning, Haaland is set to increase his goal tally further in the second half of the Premier League season with potential new teammates joining him soon.
Lamine Yamal attracts mixed opinions due to his talent and the teams he doesn’t play for, but his skill is undeniable. His contributions make him stand out as a top performer.
Yamal’s seven goals and seven assists reflect his importance, with an impressive average of 5.6 dribbles and 2.3 key passes per game. He plays a central role in Barcelona’s current La Liga lead.
Harry Kane exemplifies consistency. With 19 goals this season, he also contributes defensively and creates plays from deep.
While he has three assists, his stats reflect a wider influence on the game that marks his exceptional talent.
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