The battle for the 2026 Ballon d'Or has taken shape following the release of the 30-man shortlist in the wake of the World Cup, with Spain's triumph over Argentina in the final proving decisive in shifting perceptions of who deserves football's most prestigious individual honour.
Rodri emerges as the man to beat after an outstanding tournament in Spain's midfield, where his composed, controlling performances earned him the Golden Ball ahead of prolific finishers Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. His club campaign with Manchester City was less spectacular by comparison, as he worked his way back from injury while City claimed the FA Cup and League Cup but missed out on the Premier League. Since then, Rodri has moved to Barcelona, and continued strong displays in La Liga and the Champions League could cement his status as favourite when the winner is announced in October.
Harry Kane remains a serious threat to Rodri's bid despite a quieter World Cup by his lofty standards. The England captain was the leading scorer in Europe last season, netting 61 goals in 51 matches as Bayern Munich secured a league and cup double. He also chipped in six goals at the World Cup, including a decisive late brace against DR Congo that helped England reach their best World Cup finish since 1966.