Dembélé tops ESPN's rankings for the 2026-27 Ballon d'Or, with Yamal second and Kvaratskhelia third

For nearly two decades, the question barely needed asking. Who's the best in the world? Lionel Messi. And on the rare occasions it wasn't him, Cristiano Ronaldo. That was it. But both have been out of the top-tier conversation for years now, and for the first time in a long while, the debate over who deserves the Ballon d'Or is genuinely open. ESPN took on the challenge of sorting out the puzzle and published its first top 10 of the 2026-27 season, a list it says will be updated as the year progresses.

The criteria are far from simple. It's not just about counting goals, but about measuring how much each player pushes his team toward victory. That means weighing awkward variables like off-the-ball work, the quality of the league, and the added difficulty of performing in a locker room stacked with stars versus a modest one.

From Rice to Kvaratskhelia: the rest of the top 10

Opening the list at number 10 is Declan Rice of Arsenal, cited as the most complete midfielder on the planet for his versatility and physical solidity. He's followed by Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) at number nine, and at number eight comes Julián Álvarez of Atlético Madrid, highlighted for a striking figure: he pressed 76 times per 90 minutes last season, far more than any other forward on the list.

Seventh place goes to Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), described almost as the inverse of Álvarez given his very low pressing numbers. At number six comes Erling Haaland of Manchester City, with an efficiency that borders on the absurd: just 22 touches per game, the lowest figure among the top 100 players measured, and yet still the biggest goal threat in the world every time he touches the ball.

Michael Olise of Bayern Munich takes fifth place after leading the league in expected possession value last season and averaging more than 80 touches with the ball per game. Fourth place belongs to Harry Kane, also of Bayern, who over his three years in Germany has averaged 1.14 non-penalty goals and assists per 90 minutes, a mark that puts him close to the numbers Cristiano Ronaldo put up at Real Madrid.

Third place goes to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Paris Saint-Germain, who despite playing barely half of the possible minutes in Ligue 1 last season, still ranked among the top 10 in offensive output. His arrival from Napoli in January 2025 coincided almost perfectly with PSG's rise to become the best team in the world.

Yamal second, Dembélé on top

Lamine Yamal holds at number two. Last season he raised his combined goals and assists average from 0.69 to 0.95 per 90 minutes, a jump that cemented him as a genuine superstar rather than just a prospect. The player's own father had called it "a crime against humanity" that his son didn't win the Ballon d'Or the year before.

A crime against humanityLamine Yamal's father

And at number one, Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain. His physical fragility is undeniable: only once in his entire career has he topped 2,000 minutes in a domestic league, and that was ten years ago at Borussia Dortmund. But when healthy, according to the ranking, nobody in the world plays better. He dominates scoring, creation, dribbling, passing, and pressing with either foot, and can play any position across the attack. A player impossible to count on for a full season, but, according to ESPN, the most complete one out there right now.