2026 Ballon d’Or race heats up after PSG wins UEFA Super Cup

Paris Saint-Germain's 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup has intensified the race for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, bolstering the credentials of their star players.

The French champions secured another European trophy, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opening the scoring. Brian Madjo equalized for Aston Villa before halftime, but Desire Doué netted the decisive goal in the second half, securing PSG's second consecutive UEFA Super Cup title. This success further enhances the Ballon d'Or prospects of PSG's leading talents, according to BBC Sport.

However, the individual award race remains highly competitive, with performances in the 2026 FIFA World Cup expected to significantly influence the final voting. Harry Kane currently holds the strongest statistical case, having scored 73 goals for Bayern Munich and contributing to their domestic double and Champions League semi-final run.

Reigning Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé of PSG remains a strong contender after scoring six goals in the World Cup, including a hat-trick against Norway, and playing a crucial role in PSG's domestic and European successes. Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Manchester City's Rodri, who won the World Cup Golden Ball, are also among the top candidates. Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé, who enjoyed a remarkable World Cup with 10 goals and four assists, is also in contention, having made history by winning the Golden Boot in LaLiga, the Champions League, and the World Cup in the same calendar year.