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Who deserves to win the Ballon d'Or? Messi, Yamal, Kane -- or someone else?

There's no consensus pick for this year's Ballon d'Or -- but maybe there should be. Here's who actually deserves to win it.

11hRyan O'Hanlon
Getty Images

From leg amputation fears to Ballon d'Or nominee: Elena Sadiku's trailblazing football journey

Elena Sadiku is the only female on the Ballon d'Or shortlist for the Women's Coach of the Year. Her journey to get there beggars belief.

9hShubi Arun

What it takes to win a Ballon d'Or: Trophies, goals and playing the PR game

It's no longer enough to be the best on-field player in order to have a shot at the Ballon d'Or, soccer's top individual prize. You have to make your case in the media, too -- and it takes a lot of work.

2dMark Ogden

TOP HEADLINES

Indian Super League

ISL 2026/27: East Bengal's Ake Loba grabs brace in 5-1 rout of Inter Kashi

1hESPN Staff
Dipayan Bose / Focus Sports / ISL

ISL Musings: East Bengal show champion's class, Mohun Bagan have their goals (and win), magician Alaaeddine is back

2dAaditya Narayan
Lester.R / FS Media Pro / ISL

BY THE NUMBERS

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

UCL stats: Paz youngest since Messi, Kane one behind Ronaldo

1dAnirudh Menon
Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

MAN UNITED'S UNHAPPY CAMP

Football

Carrick hits back at Fernandes criticism after Como rout Man United

2dRob Dawson
Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Who is to blame at Manchester United?

1d
1:26

Man United players were abysmal in Como, but it's Carrick who faces consequences

2dRob Dawson

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

WEDNESDAY'S FIXTURES

Champions League talking points: What to make of the Man Utd mess

2dMultiple contributors

Mbappé and Diomande delight, Vinícius Jr. whistled in Madrid win

2dAlex Kirkland

Rice offers Arsenal hope: Star attackers might not be needed to win Champions League

2dJames Olley

MESSI - RONALDO WATCH

Lionel Messi scores vintage brace to make it 936; Cristiano Ronaldo hits 981, fined €255, 'let Man United down'

3dAnirudh Menon
Shruti Sadbhav/ESPN

Ronaldo misses penalty for Al Nassr in 1st game since Portugal suspension

3dPA

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