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Wednesday, 29 July 2026dailybeirut.com
Football
Following Osman Dembele's Champions League triumph with Paris Saint-Germain, the 2026 Ballon d'Or contest features a broad field of contenders amid a season including the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.
The Ballon d'Or competition has become more open than it has been in the past two decades, as the longstanding dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has diminished. Each season now sees many players believing they have a chance to claim football's highest individual honor.
French forward Osman Dembele emerged prominently after overcoming a career marked by injuries and instability, securing the Ballon d'Or in 2025. He remains among a large group of candidates poised to compete for the award again one year later.
Dembele earned the accolade due to his outstanding performance that helped Paris Saint-Germain capture their first-ever UEFA Champions League title. This continental tournament is expected to play a decisive role in this year's Ballon d'Or race.
The current season coincides with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted in North America, which means the ultimate winner may not be determined until after the tournament concludes. Additionally, the Africa Cup of Nations could influence the competition by providing players opportunities to excel with their national teams alongside their club performances during two major events in the same season.
The Ballon d'Or contest resembles a marathon more than a sprint. With the European season ending and Paris Saint-Germain winning the Europa League again on penalties over Arsenal, the website GOAL continues to monitor the leading contenders ahead of the award ceremony scheduled for October 26 in London.
The top contenders for the 2026 Ballon d'Or include:
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