Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has edged out Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé to be named the best player of the 2025-2026 season in Spanish newspaper Marca’s annual Top 100 Players ranking, only days before the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Kane took first place in the ranking, which was released on Friday, three days ahead of the Ballon d’Or ceremony, with Yamal in second and Mbappé in third.
The annual ranking, Marca’s Top 100 Players, was put together with contributions from a panel of more than 200 former players, journalists, and analysts from around the world, who evaluated performances for club and country over the course of the season.
Barcelona midfielder Rodri came fourth, with Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in fifth.
Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi took sixth place, ahead of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabián Ruiz in seventh.
Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise finished eighth, while his France teammate Ousmane Dembélé, also of PSG, came ninth.
Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí rounded out the top 10.
Real Madrid’s leading players were scattered throughout the ranking, with England midfielder Jude Bellingham in 15th, ahead of Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior in 22nd.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois placed 28th, while Turkish midfielder Arda Güler finished 47th.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, took 33rd position, while his teammate João Félix finished 70th.
Barcelona had several players among the highest-ranked performers, with Brazilian winger Raphinha in 13th and Spanish midfielder Pedri in 14th.
Ferran Torres came 17th, while Dani Olmo finished 21st.
Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García placed 42nd, with defender Eric García at 55th.
Paris Saint-Germain also made a strong showing, with three players in the top 10: Kvaratskhelia, Fabián Ruiz, and Dembélé.
Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi finished 20th, while Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Marquinhos, and Willian Pacho also appeared in the ranking.
The list featured players competing outside Europe’s major leagues, with Messi representing Inter Miami in Major League Soccer and Ronaldo turning out for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
Kane’s place at the top of the ranking puts the England international ahead of several high-profile contenders for individual honors as attention turns to the Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday.
