Idman.biz
English club Arsenal's midfielder Declan Rice leads the initial power rankings for the Ballon d'Or 2026 award.
Idman.Biz reports that, according to early predictions published by talkSPORT, the 27-year-old footballer is at the top of the list with odds of 3/1. Rice's performance during the season has put Arsenal at the top of the Premier League with a seven-point difference.
The midfielder, who stood out with four goals and eight assists this season, has fully developed into an all-around midfielder. If Arsenal becomes champion for the first time since 2004, Rice could become the first player in the club's history to win the Ballon d'Or, and the first English player in English football since Michael Owen, who received the award in 2001.
Two players share the second place on the list with odds of 7/2. Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe has scored 30 goals in 26 games. Barcelona's young star Lamin Yamal is also at the forefront with the same odds. He took second place in the 2025 vote.
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane remains a "dangerous" candidate with odds of 5/1. He already has 32 goals in the Bundesliga and his performance at the World Cup could be decisive.
The top six is completed by Erling Haaland (8/1) and Vitinha (16/1).
Last winner Usman Dembele remains on the list with odds of 25/1 despite injuries. Lionel Messi is also among the candidates with the same odds. Winning the World Championship again is considered important for the Argentinian star, who has scored 43 goals and 26 assists in 49 games in the MLS, for his ninth Ballon d'Or.
