Seventy-three goals in 65 appearances. A World Cup-winning teenager. A French superstar with 71 goal contributions. The 2026 Ballon d'Or race has delivered some extraordinary numbers, but only one player will leave London with football's biggest individual prize.

The 70th ceremony takes place on Monday, October 26, with Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal heading the list of contenders.

Harry Kane: 73 goals in 65 matches

Kane has produced the most prolific campaign of his career, registering 73 goals and eight assists across 65 appearances for Bayern Munich and England.

His average of 1.12 goals per game helped Bayern secure the Bundesliga, German Cup and German Super Cup.

The 33-year-old also scored 14 Champions League goals and six at the World Cup, where England reached the semi-finals.

Kane could become the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001.

Kylian Mbappé: 71 goal contributions

Real Madrid may have ended the campaign without silverware, but Mbappé's numbers were remarkable.

The Frenchman registered 58 goals and 13 assists in 60 appearances, averaging 1.18 goal contributions per match.

His 15 Champions League goals were the competition's highest tally, while 10 World Cup strikes earned him the Golden Boot.

Despite his international exploits, France exited in the semi-finals.

Lamine Yamal: History at 19?

Yamal's 25 goals and 20 assists in 57 appearances helped Barcelona claim La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup.

The teenager then added the World Cup to his collection as Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in July's final.

Interestingly, Yamal scored just once during the tournament, although his overall campaign places him firmly among the favourites.

Victory would make him the youngest Ballon d'Or recipient in history, surpassing Ronaldo Nazário's record of 21 years.

Lionel Messi: 75 goal contributions

At 39, Messi remains capable of extraordinary numbers.

The eight-time winner recorded 45 goals and 30 assists in just 49 matches, averaging 1.53 goal contributions per appearance.

He also won the MLS Cup with Inter Miami and reached another World Cup final with Argentina.

Rodri: The World Cup's best player

The 2024 winner recorded two goals in 46 appearances, but his greatest achievement came with Spain.

Rodri captained his country to World Cup glory and collected the Golden Ball as the tournament's outstanding player.

Honourable mentions

Erling Haaland struck 58 goals in 64 matches, while Michael Olise contributed 27 goals and 35 assists across 69 appearances.

Defending champion Ousmane Dembélé registered 26 goals and 14 assists, helping PSG win the Champions League.

Arsenal's Declan Rice, PSG's Vitinha and Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes also feature among the 30 nominees.