The Ballon d'Or race has been completely transformed by the 2026 FIFA World Cup. At 39 years old, Lionel Messi has delivered yet another mind-blowing tournament as Argentina look to follow up their historic triumph at Qatar 2022. Has Messi done enough to capture a record-extending NINTH Ballon d'Or, or should the award go to a player who dominated across Europe's top leagues, such as Harry Kane, Michael Olise, or Kylian Mbappé? Or Should World Cup performances hold weight for players like Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham? We break down the leading contenders and debate who deserves to stand atop the podium.