As the 2026 Ballon d'Or approaches, the competition is heating up, with Harry Kane (32) leading the charge after netting 54 goals across all competitions for Bayern Munich and the England national team this season. His recent goal in Bayern's 2-1 victory over Real Madrid further solidifies his candidacy. Kylian Mbappé and emerging talent Lamine Yamal also stand out as potential winners, making the race more unpredictable than in previous years dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Meanwhile, Folarin Balogun, currently playing for AS Monaco, is in exceptional form, scoring in five consecutive matches, including a stunning goal against Marseille. Despite his performance, US Men's National Team coach Mauricio Pochettino opted to play Christian Pulisic in Balogun's position during a recent match against Portugal, which raised eyebrows given Balogun's current form. Lastly, Tottenham Hotspur's new manager, Roberto De Zerbi, faces a daunting task in his seven-game contract to reshape the team while avoiding relegation. Known for his tactical prowess, De Zerbi must quickly implement his style in a club struggling with creativity and attacking efficiency.