Winning the World Cup is the ultimate prize, but a select few players manage to leave the tournament with an additional piece of history.
The Golden Ball is awarded to the best player at the World Cup and has previously been won by legends including Diego Maradona, Ronaldo Nazario, Zinedine Zidane, Diego Forlan and Lionel Messi.
It is often awarded to the player who defines the tournament. Sometimes that player lifts the trophy, sometimes they don’t, but they always leave a lasting mark on football’s biggest stage.
According to the latest Bet9ja odds, England captain Harry Kane is the favourite to take home the award in 2026, ahead of a star-studded chasing pack.
Harry Kane (England) – 8.00
Kane sits at the top of the market and it’s easy to understand why.
The England captain heads to North America after the most prolific season of his career, scoring 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern Munich. He has already won a World Cup Golden Boot and finished runner-up at both a European Championship and World Cup.
The missing piece is a major international trophy.
If Kane can inspire England to glory, it is difficult to imagine him not being heavily involved in the Golden Ball conversation.
Lamine Yamal (Spain) – 9.00
At just 18 years old, Yamal is already one of the biggest stars in world football.
The Barcelona sensation was named Young Player of the Tournament at Euro 2024 and has since established himself as the focal point of Spain’s attack. The reigning European champions are among the favourites to win the World Cup and much of their creative responsibility falls on Yamal’s shoulders.
If Spain go deep, he could become the youngest Golden Ball winner in history.
Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 11.00
Could there be one final chapter?
Messi won the Golden Ball in both 2014 and 2022, becoming the first player to claim the award twice. Now preparing for a sixth World Cup, the Argentina captain has another opportunity to make history.
Argentina’s favourable group and strong squad should give him the platform to shine once again, and football fans everywhere know better than to write off Lionel Messi.
Kylian Mbappe (France) – 11.00
Mbappe already owns a World Cup winner’s medal, a World Cup Golden Boot and one of the greatest individual performances ever seen in a World Cup final.
The only major World Cup award missing from his collection is the Golden Ball.
After scoring 86 goals across the last two seasons, the France captain remains one of the most devastating players on the planet. If Les Bleus reach another final, Mbappe will almost certainly be central to their success.
Michael Olise (France) – 11.00
Olise’s rise has been extraordinary.
The Bayern Munich winger produced 53 goal contributions in 52 matches this season and has developed into one of Europe’s most exciting attacking players. While Mbappe remains France’s headline act, Olise has the ability to become the breakout star of the tournament.
Few players arrive in better form.
Vinicius Junior (Brazil) – 15.00
Brazil’s hopes could rest on Vinicius more than any other player.
The Real Madrid forward continues to produce goals and assists at an elite level and now reunites with Carlo Ancelotti on the international stage. If Brazil end their long wait for another World Cup title, Vinicius will likely be at the heart of it.
His explosive style of play also tends to capture the imagination of voters.
The Leading Outsiders
Several players are available at bigger prices but could quickly emerge as contenders with a strong tournament.
Portugal captain Bruno Fernandes is priced at 21.00 after a season that saw him break assist records in England. Declan Rice and Raphinha are available at the same odds, while Harry Kane’s England teammate Jude Bellingham can be backed at 26.00.
Also at 26.00 are Ousmane Dembele, Pedri, Rodri, Vitinha, Mikel Oyarzabal and Erling Haaland.
Further down the market, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar are both available at 34.00. While neither are among the favourites, both have the pedigree to produce memorable moments on the biggest stage.
