Harry Kane, the England captain, is the odds‑on favourite to claim the 2026 [Ballon d’Or](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballon_d%27Or) at a glittering ceremony in London on Monday, while teenage Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal and France’s Kylian Mbappé are also seen as serious challengers.
**What puts Kane ahead of the pack?**
Kane netted an astonishing 73 goals in 65 appearances for Bayern Munich and England last season, a tally that helped Bayern secure a domestic league‑cup double and propelled England to the World Cup semi‑finals. The 33‑year‑old striker said, “It would be a massive milestone in my career to win this award.” However, his hopes are tempered by semi‑final exits in both the Champions League and the World Cup, leaving the final decision uncertain. He added, “My wife and family are under a lot of pressure – it’s stressful for everyone.”
**How does Lamine Yamal stack up?**
The 19‑year‑old [Lamine Yamal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamine_Yamal) impressed last year by finishing runner‑up to Ousmane Dembélé in the FIFA award rankings and is widely tipped to become a future Ballon d’Or winner. A hamstring injury cut his club season short, and he missed out on Spain’s World Cup triumph, which was built on collective strength rather than individual brilliance. Despite this, Yamal remains confident, stating, “Mbappé and I are the two best players in the world, and I believe I deserve the award this year.”
**What are Mbappé’s credentials?**
[Kylian Mbappé](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kylian_Mbapp%C3%A9) entered the race with a collection of personal records but no major trophies for Real Madrid or France. The 27‑year‑old topped the scoring charts in La Liga, the Champions League and the World Cup, becoming the competition’s all‑time leading scorer with 10 World Cup goals. He remarked, “Being the all‑time top scorer in World Cup history is something that really stands out. Who am I voting for? Myself.”
**How is the winner decided?**
One journalist from each of the 100 top‑ranked FIFA nations receives a ballot to rank their top ten players from a 30‑man shortlist, assigning up to 15 points to their first choice and decreasing points down the list. The player accumulating the highest total points is crowned the Ballon d’Or. Although the prize carries no cash component, it often triggers substantial bonuses from clubs and sponsors and boosts a player’s marketability.
**What about the women’s award?**
Alexia Putellas is the clear favourite to secure her third Ballon d’Or, having won the accolade in 2021 and 2022 and playing a key role in Barcelona’s recent Champions League success before moving to London’s City Lionesses. Poland’s Ewa Pajor, who scored 11 Champions League goals in the latest campaign, is viewed as her main rival.
The ceremony marks the 70th edition of the award, originally created by *France Football*, and is being hosted in England for the first time to honour the inaugural winner Stanley Matthews. A first English winner could emerge after a 25‑year gap.
Source: Vanguard News