Declan Rice has backed England team-mate Harry Kane to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or after both players were named on the 30-man shortlist for football’s most prestigious individual award. The 70th edition of the ceremony will take place in London on October 26, marking the first time the historic event is hosted outside of Paris. Bayern Munich forward Kane enters the night as the bookmakers’ favourite, featuring on the shortlist alongside Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham and Rice. With nominations officially confirmed, Rice expressed his immense pride at making the final cut for the second year in a row while offering a clear endorsement for Kane to take home the crown.
Reflecting on his second successive nomination, Rice made no secret of his desire to consistently feature among the game’s elite while remaining focused on the collective demands set by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. Rice emphasized that Arteta has been full throttle since the very first day of pre-season, relentlessly pushing the squad to demand more from one another as they pursue silverware on multiple fronts. Following a strong opening to the campaign, Arsenal face a stern test away at Sunderland next, where Rice expects a fierce battle to keep their early momentum rolling across all competitions.
Rice’s ambition is deeply rooted in the long-term vision that convinced him to sign for Arsenal, driven by an unyielding hunger to end the club’s 22-year wait for a Premier League title. The Gunners currently hold a five-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table, with the squad fully determined to reward Arteta’s project. Having felt unstoppable at times during his dominant displays this term, Rice pointed to next month’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City as a pivotal opportunity to establish decisive momentum heading into the business end of the season.
This year’s Ballon d’Or shortlist reflects a dramatic landscape across world football, featuring Lionel Messi after the 39-year-old scored eight goals in Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain before retiring from international duty. While Cristiano Ronaldo missed out on a nomination, Spain’s World Cup hero Ferran Torres made the cut following his summer move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, joining PSG team-mate Ousmane Dembele on the shortlist. Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and Cape Verde international Vozinha also earned recognition with nominations for the men’s goalkeeper award, while Alessia Russo and Alex Greenwood feature among the contenders for the women’s prize.
Rice’s influence at the Emirates Stadium continues to grow through key moments, such as his thunderous tackle on Brighton’s Maxim De Cuyper that got the home crowd rocking. Even amidst tough domestic fixtures—including a closely contested clash against Manchester City where Erling Haaland scored the winning goal while Bernardo Silva lined up alongside Ballon d’Or winner Rodri—Rice’s performances have kept him at the heart of the national conversation. As Arsenal prepare for their upcoming journey to Sunderland and a crucial cup final against City, Rice remains firmly focused on securing silverware for his club while cheering on Kane for global individual honors.
