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Kane displaces Yamal in number one ahead of 2026 Ballon d’Or announcement
Kane displaces Yamal in number one ahead of 2026 Ballon d’Or announcement
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has been named the best player of the 2025/2026 season in Spanish newspaper Marca’s annual Top 100 Players ranking, finishing ahead of Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé.
Kane secured first place on Friday in the ranking, which was published just three days before the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony scheduled for Monday.
Yamal claimed second position, while Mbappé completed the top three after their performances throughout the season.
Marca’s annual list was compiled with contributions from more than 200 former footballers, journalists and analysts worldwide, who evaluated players based on their displays for club and country.
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Manchester City midfielder Rodri occupied fourth place, ahead of Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who finished fifth.
Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi was ranked sixth, while PSG midfielder Fabián Ruiz took seventh place.
Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise came eighth, followed by PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé in ninth position.
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Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí completed the top 10 in the ranking.
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Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham was ranked 15th, finishing ahead of Brazilian teammate Vinícius Júnior, who occupied 22nd place.
Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois secured the 28th position, while Turkish midfielder Arda Güler finished 47th.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, was ranked 33rd. His teammate João Félix occupied 70th place.
Barcelona Stars Make Strong Showing
Barcelona also had several players among the leading names, with Brazilian winger Raphinha finishing 13th and midfielder Pedri taking 14th position.
Ferran Torres was ranked 17th, while Dani Olmo finished 21st in the assessment.
Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García came 42nd, with defender Eric García occupying 55th place.
Paris Saint-Germain also enjoyed a notable presence in the top 10, with Kvaratskhelia, Fabián Ruiz and Dembélé all featuring among the leading players.
Other PSG stars included Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi, who finished 20th, alongside Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Marquinhos and Willian Pacho.
The ranking also recognised players competing outside Europe’s major leagues, including Messi, who represents Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, and Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
Kane’s position at the summit places the England international ahead of several prominent football stars as attention shifts to the upcoming Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Marca’s Top 10 Players of the 2025/2026 Season
1. Harry Kane — Bayern Munich
2. Lamine Yamal — Barcelona
3. Kylian Mbappé — Real Madrid
4. Rodri — Manchester City
5. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — Paris Saint-Germain
6. Lionel Messi — Inter Miami
7. Fabián Ruiz — Paris Saint-Germain
8. Michael Olise — Bayern Munich
9. Ousmane Dembélé — Paris Saint-Germain
10.Pau Cubarsí — Barcelona
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