Messi Climbs Above Mbappé And Dembélé After France’s World Cup Exit

Messi climbs above Mbappé and Dembélé after France’s World Cup exit Lionel Messi has moved ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé in the latest Ballon d’Or power rankings after France’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The race for football’s most prestigious individual award has shifted dramatically following France’s semi-final defeat to Spain, with several leading contenders seeing their chances change as the tournament reaches its decisive stage. France’s 2-0 defeat to Spain ended their hopes of reaching another World Cup final and dealt a blow to the Ballon d’Or campaigns of some of their biggest stars, including Mbappé and Dembélé. Mbappé entered the final stages of the tournament among the leading candidates after another strong season, while Dembélé was also considered a major contender following his club performances and status as the current Ballon d’Or holder.

However, France’s elimination has affected their positions in updated rankings, with Messi now moving above them in the latest assessments. Messi’s continued influence for Argentina has helped strengthen his position in the Ballon d’Or discussion. The veteran forward has remained one of the tournament’s standout performers, contributing goals and leadership as Argentina continue their World Cup campaign. His experience, consistency and ability to perform on the biggest stage have kept him among the favourites despite playing in the later stages of his career. Mbappé’s hopes were boosted by his performances for France during the tournament, but the team’s elimination has reduced his chances of winning the award. Dembélé, who entered the year as one of the leading candidates after winning the previous Ballon d’Or, has also seen his position challenged as other players have made stronger cases during the World Cup. The Ballon d’Or battle remains open, with players such as Harry Kane and other World Cup performers still in contention depending on how the tournament concludes.

World Cup success, individual statistics, club achievements and performances in major competitions will all play a role when voters decide the winner. With the World Cup nearing its conclusion, the remaining matches could have a major impact on the final Ballon d’Or rankings. A strong finish from Messi or another leading contender could change the race again before voting closes, making the final weeks of the season crucial for football’s biggest individual prize.