Who Will Win The 2026 Ballon D'Or?

In what is global football's night of nights - Paris Saint-Germain super star Ousmane Dembele was crowned the Ballon d'Or winner.


In doing so, Dembele became just the 2nd PSG player and the 6th Frenchman to win the prominent private award.


He declared the prize ahead of Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and fellow PSG colleague Vitinha - who finished second and 3rd respectively.


Dembele played a big function in PSG's success last season - with 36 objectives and 15 helps throughout all competitors en route a treble, consisting of a Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France.


However - it was their Champions League accomplishment in May that showed the most substantial, as it marked the very first time PSG have won the European trophy.


And they did so in design - with Dembele and Co thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in the final at Munich's Allianz Arena.


With the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony now done and cleaned - attention turns to who will be crowned the winner in 2026.


Therefore, let's have a look at who are the early favourites to declare the award next year according to Sky Bet.


Who are the favourites to claim the 2026 Ballon d'Or award? Sky Bet odds revealed


Lamine Yamal


Arguably one of the finest teenage footballers in history - Barcelona super star Yamal has opened as the best-backed with Sky Bet at 5/2 to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or.


Yamal had a remarkable 2024-25 season en path to runner-up in the Ballon d'Or - with the 18-year-old netting 18 objectives and up 25 assists throughout all competitors.


His contribution was important in assisting Barcelona claim a domestic treble - as Hansi Flick's side claimed their 28nd league title, 32nd Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.


Can Yamal construct on his specific and group success and end up being the youngest player in history to win the Ballon d'Or? He is more than efficient in doing so.


Yamal has began his 2025-26 season strong, with the winger tape-recording five objective contributions in 3 league video games to date.


Kylian Mbappe


Although previous PSG super star Kylian Mbappe had a great maiden campaign for Real Madrid statistically - of that included 44 goals and 5 assists - it didn't result in silverware.


Real Madrid failed to pick up a major prize in 2024-25 - with Los Blancos completing second in the league and bowing out in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.


Additionally, they decreased 5-2 and 3-2 at the hands of El Classico equals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey finals respectively.


However, needs to Mbappe have a similar output this season and Real Madrid are able to get numerous prizes - do not be amazed if the 26-year-old is a strong contender for next year's Ballon d'Or award.


He has began his 2025-26 project very well - with the winger netting seven objectives in six league games so far this season.


With the above in mind, for those expecting Mbappe to declare his first Ballon d'Or in 2026 - he is a 5/1 second-favourite according to Sky Bet.


Ousmane Dembele


The aforementioned Dembele has opened as a third-favourite to declare back-to-back Ballon d'Or awards - with the Frenchman priced at 13/2 chances.


If he were to do so, he would become the eighth player in history to win the award in successive seasons.


Dembele has actually had three goal contributions in as lots of games in the French top-flight this season.


Vinicius Jr, Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane & Erling Haaland


Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr., Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, Bayern Munich's Harry Kane, and Manchester City's Erling Haaland complete the five favourites in the market.


Vinicius is a sole fourth-favourite at 8/1, while Salah, Kane and Haaland are joint fifth-favourites at 11/1.


Vinicius has 3 goals and 3 helps in 6 league video games in 2025-26, while Salah has had four objective contributions in the English top-flight to date this season.


Additionally, Haaland currently leads the Premier League's goalscoring tally with 6, while Kane has a remarkable 13 goals and 3 helps in simply 7 video games for Bayern throughout all competitions.


Sky Bet favourites to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or:


Lamine Yamal 5/2


Kylian Mbappe 5/1


Ousmane Dembele 13/2


Vinicius Jr. 8/1


Mohamed Salah 11/1


Harry Kane 11/1


Erling Haaland 11/1