Because of the sheer number of titles he has won this year, Real Madrid and England forward Kylian Mbappe believes his goal-scoring runs in the Champions League and the FIFA World Cup make him the top contender, while Barcelona and Spain forward Lamine Yamal feels he should win the Golden Ball. As the race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or title heats up, a debate has emerged on social media about what exactly the criteria behind the award are.
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The player chosen for the No. 1 spot gets 15 points while the last choice gets just one point. The players chosen second, third, fourth, and fifth get 12, 10, 8, 7, and 6 points respectively. At the end of the day, the points are tallied, and the name of the winner is finalised. In case of a tie, the player with the most first picks is chosen as the winner.
- Individual Performance: How the player has done on the field, the personal statistics, decisiveness in important moments, and overall impact.
- Team Achievements: The collective success of the player’s club and national teams is also an important factor. The number of trophies won, the impact the player had in winning those trophies, etc. is often crucial in choosing a winner.
- Class and Fair Play: The player’s sportsmanship, on-field behaviour, conduct, and overall ethical standard also have to be considered, especially in cases where two players are neck-and-neck in other factors.
