Home of football statistics and historySince Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo reached the veteran stage of their glittering careers, predicting who will win the Ballon d’Or award each year has become trickier.
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Coming back ot the Ballon D’Or, read on as we look at which players have won the award during the 21st century, before assessing some of this year’s main contenders.
Ballon d’Or – Winners 2001 – 2025
- 2001 – Michael Owen (England, Liverpool)
- 2002 – Ronaldo (Brazil, Real Madrid)
- 2003 – Pavel Nedved (Czechia, Juventus)
- 2004 – Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine, AC Milan)
- 2005 – Ronaldinho (Brazil, Barcelona)
- 2006 – Fabio Cannavaro (Italy, Real Madrid)
- 2007 – Kaka (Brazil, AC Milan)
- 2008 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Manchester United)
- 2009 – Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)
- 2010 – Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)
- 2011 – Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)
- 2012 – Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)
- 2013 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid)
- 2014 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid)
- 2015 – Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)
- 2016 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid)
- 2017 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid)
- 2018 – Luka Modric (Croatia, Real Madrid)
- 2019 – Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)
- 2020 – Award not given
- 2021 – Lionel Messi (Argentina, Paris Saint-Germain)
- 2022 – Karim Benzema (France, Real Madrid)
- 2023 – Lionel Messi (Argentina, Inter Miami)
- 2024 – Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)
- 2025 – Ousmane Dembele (France, Paris Saint-Germain)
Ballon d’Or 2026 – The main contenders
Ousmane Dembele’s exploits with Paris Saint-Germain made him a standout candidate to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or, and it was no surprise when he was announced as the winner.
This year’s award looks a little more open, with several players demonstrating their claims to be named as the best player in the world for 2026.
This summer’s World Cup will likely play a key role in determining the outcome, which potentially gives Kylian Mbappe an advantage over the rest of the field.
Mbappe has been in fine form for Real Madrid, with his goals keeping them in the La Liga title race and on course to win the Champions League.
The 27-year-old will also be the leading man for France at the World Cup and success in the tournament would boost his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or.
Harry Kane has been touted as Mbappe’s main rival for the award after continuing to score goals at a relentless pace for Bayern Munich and England.
Bayern look nailed on to win the Bundesliga and are still in the Champions League, so Kane is undoubtedly in contention to claim the prize.
However, England’s penchant for coming up short in major tournaments may ultimately scupper his hopes of finishing ahead of Mbappe in the voting.
Lamine Yamal will fancy his chances of going one better after finishing second last year. He has continued to impress for Barcelona and Spain.
If Yamal helps his club and country win major silverware this year, he could be the value bet to add his name to the Ballon d’Or roll of honour.
Ultimately, several players will enhance their claims by winning trophies with their clubs, but whoever claims a World Cup winners’ medal will be in pole position to clinch the Ballon d’Or.
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