Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has beaten Barcelona winger 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 claimed first place in the list released on Friday, just three days before the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony scheduled for Monday. Yamal finished second, while Mbappé occupied third position.
The ranking was compiled with contributions from more than 200 former players, journalists and analysts from around the world, who assessed performances for club and country throughout the season.
Former Manchester City midfielder Rodri came fourth, followed by Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in fifth place. Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi finished sixth, ahead of PSG midfielder Fabián Ruiz in seventh.
Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise secured eighth place, while his France teammate and PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé finished ninth. Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí completed the top 10.
Real Madrid’s leading players featured further down the ranking. England midfielder Jude Bellingham finished 15th, ahead of Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior, who placed 22nd. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois came 28th, while Turkish midfielder Arda Güler occupied 47th position.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, finished 33rd. His teammate João Félix came 70th.
Barcelona also had several players among the leading names. Brazilian winger Raphinha finished 13th, followed by Spanish midfielder Pedri in 14th place. Former striker Ferran Torres came 17th, while Dani Olmo occupied 21st position.
Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García finished 42nd, with defender Eric García placing 55th.
Paris Saint-Germain also had a strong presence in the ranking, with Kvaratskhelia, Ruiz and Dembélé all featuring in the top 10. Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi finished 20th, while Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Marquinhos and Willian Pacho also made the list.
The ranking featured players from outside Europe’s major leagues, including Messi, who represents Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, and Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
Kane’s position at the summit places him ahead of several high-profile players as attention turns to Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in London.
Marca’s top 10 players
1. Harry Kane: Bayern Munich
2. Lamine Yamal: Barcelona
3. Kylian Mbappé: Real Madrid
4. Rodri: Manchester City
5. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: Paris Saint-Germain
6. Lionel Messi: Inter Miami
7. Fabián Ruiz: Paris Saint-Germain
8. Michael Olise: Bayern Munich
9. Ousmane Dembélé: Paris Saint-Germain
10. Pau Cubarsí: Barcelona
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