Ballon d'Or odds: Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Rodri all in race to be named world's best in 2026

The biggest individual prize in football has many variables. Often the Ballon d'Or race is dictated by those players who have spearheaded their club sides, or national teams, to trophies.

Ousmane Dembele got his hands on last year's prize after leading PSG to their first Champions League title.

This year is different, though. The World Cup holds influence and power unlike any club competition is able to. It sways opinion with a greater degree of certainty. And this, a World Cup of superstars, served up plenty of compelling cases.

So, who put their best feet forward and whose argument was damaged over the course of a long, hot summer for most of the world's best?

Harry Kane lifted more silverware at club level this year, his 61 goals in 51 outings proving unstoppable as Bayern Munich romped to a domestic double. Such form had England fans dizzy with hope and expectation.

But as England's bid tapered off earlier than pre-tournament possibilities suggested, so too did Kane's ability to rise above in the crucial moments. Of course England's failure to pick off a beatable Argentina team was not solely Kane's fault. Thomas Tuchel hardly helped his captain's cause.