Declan Rice is honoured to be included in the conversation for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, but insisted, "I'm just Dec from Kingston".

Rice has impressed for Arsenal across all competitions, helping the Gunners sit top of both the Premier League and Champions League tables.

They are also through to the EFL Cup semi-final, in which they will face Chelsea this month, and will begin their FA Cup campaign on Sunday against Portsmouth.

In all competitions, Rice has netted four goals this term, including a double over Bournemouth last time out, and has also registered five assists, with only Leandro Trossard (six) having more.

And his form has seen him emerge as one of the current favourites for this year's Ballon d'Or, among the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.

Asked about how it felt to be included in those conversations, Rice told Sky Sports: "I'm just Dec from Kingston, ain't I.

"Look, they're the right conversations to be in. Arsenal fans really appreciate what I'm doing for them at the minute, and it was West Ham fans before that, they were singing my praises.

"When you're being compared to the best players in the world, it's nice, so long may that continue. It shows you're playing well, and you want to play at the highest level."

Rice scored his first-ever brace in the Premier League (his 296th appearance) and his second for Arsenal in all competitions, after his two direct free-kicks against Real Madrid in April 2025.

The Gunners currently hold a five-point lead at the top of the table which they can extend to eight with a win over Liverpool on Thursday.