World Cup 2026 Golden Ball Contenders predictions: Bellingham moves firmly into contention
Tom McGarry
Kylian Mbappe enhanced his Golden Ball chances with a goal against Morocco
Lionel Messi is hoping to land a record-extending third Golden Ball
Jude Bellingham has scored back-to-back braces to move into serious contention
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Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are still leading the way in the race to land the World Cup Golden Ball but another name has now moved into serious contention, with England's Jude Bellingham hitting his stride at just the right time.
Mbappe and Messi remain the ones to beat
France captain Mbappe is the 6/4 favourite with LiveScore Bet to land the Golden Ball after he moved level with Messi at the top of the scoring charts, notching his eighth of the tournament in Les Bleus' 2-0 win over Morocco.
Messi, who pipped Mbappe to the award in 2022, is just behind in the betting at 2/1 with LiveScore Bet, despite failing to score in Argentina's quarter-final success over Switzerland.
That ended a run that had seen Messi score in nine consecutive World Cup games, but he is still firmly in the hunt to land the Golden Ball for a record-extending third time.
Bellingham moves ahead of Kane as England's leading contender
If Mbappe and Messi are both to be denied the Golden Ball, then England star Bellingham could be the player to do so after he followed up a brace in the round-of-16 win over Mexico by scoring both goals in his side's come-from-behind triumph against Norway.
Bellingham has scored six goals in the tournament, the same number as team-mate Harry Kane, but it is now the Real Madrid man who is the third favourite to win the Golden Ball at 4/1 with LiveScore Bet.
Kane is still firmly in contention at 8/1 and to further underline both his and Bellingham's importance to the England cause, they have scored 12 of their team's 13 goals at this World Cup.
Olise and Yamal with work to do
The odds would suggest it is a four-horse race to land the Golden Ball, but that may not be the case, as some big performances in the semi-finals and final could propel someone else into contention.
France's Michael Olise is 16/1 with LiveScore Bet and has produced a tournament-high five assists, although he has yet to score himself which may be holding him back.
Spain are the only semi-finalists without a player towards the top of the market, but if anyone from La Roja's squad is to come into contention then it could be Lamine Yamal, who is currently priced at 20/1 with LiveScore Bet.
Yamal had fitness concerns heading into the tournament and his only goal involvement to date came in the group-stage win over Saudi Arabia, but the man who landed the best young player award as Spain won Euro 2024 could be saving his best form for when it matters most.
Back Jude Bellingham to win the Golden Ball @ 4/1 with LiveScore Bet
