Move Over Kane and Mbappe: The Shocking Dark Horse a U.S. Juror Picked to Claim the 2026 Ballon d'Or

The complete voting breakdown for the 2026 Ballon d'Or has revealed that American journalist Paul Kennedy cast his ballot for World Cup Golden Ball recipient Rodri to claim football's most coveted individual honor.

Each year, journalists representing FIFA's member associations worldwide select their top 10 candidates for the Ballon d'Or. Each position carries a specific point value—a first-place vote, for example, is worth 15 points—and the player accumulating the highest total is crowned the Ballon d'Or champion.

The jurors hold the final decision, and this year they selected Harry Kane to enter the elite circle of football's finest. The England star edged out runner-up Kylian Mbappé by a narrow margin of just 28 points.

Notably, Kennedy did not place either player in his top two spots. The American juror instead awarded first place to Rodri and second place to Lionel Messi.

Kennedy's selections carry a strong World Cup influence. Rodri was the cornerstone of Spain's campaign in last summer's tournament, reaffirming his status as the world's premier defensive midfielder when fully healthy. Messi, meanwhile, guided Argentina to a third World Cup final in 16 years with an extraordinary eight goals across eight matches.

Neither player matched the club-level achievements of Kane, Mbappé, or third-place finisher Lamine Yamal, but the World Cup remains the ultimate leveler—at least in the view of certain voters.

2026 Ballon dOr: U.S. Juror's Top 10 Finishers Revealed

Kennedy's rankings fall largely in line with expectations after his surprising top two choices. Mbappé completed his Ballon d'Or podium in third. The Frenchman wrapped up the season as the leading scorer in La Liga, the Champions League, and the World Cup, also becoming the tournament's all-time top goalscorer in the process.

Kane lands in fourth after claiming a domestic treble with Bayern Munich and steering England to a third-place finish at last summer's World Cup. He found the net a remarkable 73 times for club and country, earning the second Gerd Müller Trophy of his career.

Yamal follows in fifth, having helped Barcelona defend their La Liga and Spanish Super Cup titles before shining for Spain on their path to World Cup glory. He closed the season with 45 goal contributions.

Kennedy then spotlighted another World Cup standout: Erling Haaland. The Norwegian, who claimed yet another Premier League Golden Boot in 2025–26, captivated North American audiences and led Norway to a historic quarterfinal berth.

The same applies to Michael Olise, who shattered the record for most assists at a single World Cup. The French international registered seven assists following a brilliant season at Bayern Munich that fell just two goal contributions short of 50.

Jude Bellingham fits the same narrative. After a subdued club campaign with Real Madrid, the midfielder stepped up for England, delivering crucial goals to propel the Three Lions to their finest World Cup result since 1966. The 23-year-old netted seven times, the highest tally ever recorded by an England men's player at a major tournament.

Rounding out the list, Paris Saint-Germain stars Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé were placed eighth and tenth respectively. The pair were pivotal in PSG's successful Champions League title defense and helped the club collect four additional trophies in 2025–26, capping a near-flawless season.

"The 2026 Ballon d'Or vote was not an easy vote," Kennedy wrote ahead of the ceremony. "... This year's vote has been the most wide-open."

Why No USMNT Players Are in the Top 10

Most journalists tend to include at least one player from their home nation in their top 10. However, Kennedy has no Americans in his rankings—simply because no American player was nominated for the 2026 Men's Ballon d'Or.

Only 30 players make the shortlist, and not one came from the U.S. men's national team. In fact, no American has ever received a Men's Ballon d'Or nomination.

Had a player like Christian Pulisic delivered a standout World Cup performance, he might have earned a shortlist spot—similar to Mexico's Julián Quiñones. However, the USMNT's most recognizable face was largely invisible on home turf last summer, failing to score a single goal before the United States were eliminated in the round of 16.

It may be some time before an American makes history and secures a Men's Ballon d'Or nomination. Only significant club achievements and consistent excellence in Europe will be sufficient to land an American on the shortlist over the next four years.

If none can achieve that milestone, the 2030 World Cup may offer the next opportunity for glory.