Former Portugal international and 2000 Ballon d’Or winner Luis Figo has identified a group of prominent players he believes should be considered in the discussion surrounding the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
Figo described this year’s race as particularly open, highlighting several players who have produced notable performances during the 2025/26 season and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Among the names he mentioned are Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise and Harry Kane.
Figo initially pointed to Spanish players Lamine Yamal and Rodri, particularly following Spain’s success at the 2026 World Cup. Yamal was also part of Barcelona’s successful domestic campaign, while Rodri’s contribution to Spain’s World Cup triumph placed him among the players being discussed for the individual award.
The former Real Madrid and Barcelona winger also included Mbappé and Messi in the conversation. Both players were among the 30 nominees officially announced for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
Mbappé produced a highly productive season with Real Madrid, while also making a major impact at the World Cup. According to the published Ballon d’Or statistics, he recorded 58 goals and 13 assists during the 2025/26 season.
Messi, meanwhile, returned to the Ballon d’Or shortlist after helping Argentina reach the 2026 World Cup final. The 39-year-old was also nominated following another productive campaign with Inter Miami.
Figo also acknowledged the achievements of Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé. The Frenchman was the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner and remains among the 30 nominees for the 2026 award after another successful season with PSG. The club won the UEFA Champions League for a second consecutive season.
Michael Olise and Harry Kane were also mentioned by Figo after their impressive seasons with Bayern Munich. Kane recorded 73 goals and eight assists during the 2025/26 season, while Olise registered 27 goals and 35 assists, according to the published Ballon d’Or statistics.
The seven names highlighted in Figo’s comments therefore represent a mixture of established Ballon d’Or winners, previous nominees and players who have strengthened their individual cases through major performances and team success.
The Seven Players Mentioned
Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid
Mbappé remains one of the leading attacking figures in world football. His goal-scoring output for Real Madrid and France has kept him firmly within the Ballon d’Or conversation.
Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
Yamal continued his rapid development with Barcelona and Spain. His performances during the 2025/26 season and Spain’s World Cup triumph have made him one of the youngest players in serious contention for the award.
Rodri – Barcelona/Spain
Rodri’s case is strongly connected to Spain’s World Cup success. He was recognised as the tournament’s best player, although his club season was affected by injury.
Lionel Messi – Inter Miami
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remains part of the 2026 shortlist. Messi contributed significantly for Inter Miami and Argentina and helped the national team reach the World Cup final.
Ousmane Dembélé – Paris Saint-Germain
Dembélé enters the 2026 race as the reigning Ballon d’Or holder. His continued involvement in PSG’s European success keeps him among the notable candidates.
Michael Olise – Bayern Munich
Olise had an outstanding statistical season for Bayern, contributing 27 goals and 35 assists across the campaign, while helping the German club win domestic honours.
Harry Kane – Bayern Munich
Kane’s goal-scoring numbers were among the most impressive of the season. He scored 73 goals and helped Bayern Munich secure the German league title, the German Cup and the German Super Cup.
The official 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or shortlist contains 30 players, with the winner scheduled to be announced at the ceremony in London on 26 October 2026. The final award will be decided through the established voting process rather than by Figo alone.
Figo’s comments therefore provide his assessment of the players involved in the discussion, while the eventual winner will be determined through the official Ballon d’Or voting process.