Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has beaten Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé to emerge as the best player of the 2025/2026 season in Spanish newspaper Marca’s annual Top 100 Players ranking.
Kane topped the list released on Friday, placing ahead of Yamal and Mbappé, who finished second and third, respectively, three days before the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony scheduled for Monday.
The ranking was compiled with contributions from more than 200 former players, journalists and analysts, who assessed footballers’ performances for their clubs and national teams throughout the season.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri came fourth, while Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia occupied fifth position.
Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi ranked sixth, followed by PSG midfielder Fabián Ruiz in seventh place. Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise came eighth, ahead of PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé in ninth, while Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí completed the top 10.
Messi ahead of Ronaldo
Messi finished 27 places ahead of his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who ranked 33rd in the annual assessment.
Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, was followed by teammate João Félix, who placed 70th.
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham finished 15th, ahead of Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior, who ranked 22nd. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois came 28th, while Turkish midfielder Arda Güler occupied 47th position.
Barcelona also recorded a strong presence in the ranking beyond Yamal’s second-place finish. Brazilian winger Raphinha came 13th, followed by midfielder Pedri in 14th place. Ferran Torres ranked 17th, while Dani Olmo finished 21st.
Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García placed 42nd, with defender Eric García coming 55th.
PSG also had several players among the leading performers, including Kvaratskhelia, Ruiz and Dembélé in the top 10. Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi ranked 20th, while Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Marquinhos and Willian Pacho also featured on the list.
The ranking includes players from outside Europe’s major leagues, with Messi representing Inter Miami in Major League Soccer and Ronaldo playing in Saudi Arabia.
Kane’s position at the summit places him ahead of several leading contenders for individual honours as attention turns to the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on Monday.
Marca’s Top 10 players
- Harry Kane — Bayern Munich
- Lamine Yamal — Barcelona
- Kylian Mbappé — Real Madrid
- Rodri — Manchester City
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — Paris Saint-Germain
- Lionel Messi — Inter Miami
- Fabián Ruiz — Paris Saint-Germain
- Michael Olise — Bayern Munich
- Ousmane Dembélé — Paris Saint-Germain
- Pau Cubarsí — Barcelona
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