In brief
The 2026 Ballon d’Or will be announced in London on 26 October. With Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé leading the discussion, pundits weigh each player’s club and international record. Yamal’s World Cup and La Liga triumphs, Kane’s prolific scoring for Bayern and England, and Mbappé’s Champions League success are all considered. European experts Guillem Balague, Julien Laurens, Stephen Warnock, Rory Smith, Alan Shearer, Danny Murphy and Andros Townsend offer contrasting views on who deserves the trophy.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or winner will be announced in London on 26 October – but who should win it?
Bookmakers name Spain winger Lamine Yamal and England captain Harry Kane as close favourites. Yamal lifted the World Cup with Spain and a La Liga title with Barcelona, while Kane netted 73 goals for Bayern Munich and earned 14 during the World Cup.
Other leading candidates include Lionel Messi, now with Inter Miami, and France forward Kylian Mbappé of Paris St‑Germain, who have both seen stellar seasons.
BBC Sport polled several football experts. European analyst Guillem Balague says a PSG or Spanish player must win, pointing to Lamine Yamal’s individual brilliance as a strong contender. However, Balague notes that the vote could split among the many PSG stars.
Julien Laurens argues that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s performance in the Champions League and his role in PSG’s double triumph make him a legitimate choice.
Stephen Warnock suggests that Yamal deserves the award for his World Cup contribution, while Michael Olise, a rising talent, is in the mix. He also favors Kvaratskhelia for his impact at PSG.
Former England striker Alan Shearer, ex‑England midfielder Danny Murphy, and former Tottenham and Crystal Palace striker Andros Townsend all back Harry Kane, citing his goal‑scoring record, leadership at Bayern Munich, and decisive performances at the World Cup.
Rory Smith and former Tottenham striker Ellen White also highlighted Kane, noting his consistency and availability across club and country.
Norwegian journalist Lars Sivertsen added that Kane’s low‑profile persona might hinder his popularity, yet his achievements challenge that narrative. He too sees Kane as a deserving winner.
The debate continues, with pundits debating between domestic league glory, European success, and World Cup triumph as the pillars of an award‑winning career.
