Harry Kane is the odds‑on favourite for the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or, seen as one of the tightest races in recent memory. The England captain and Bayern Munich striker is the bookmakers' pick to become the first Englishman to win since 2001, when Michael Owen last captured the award.
A win would make Harry Kane only the fifth English winner after Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen, and the first Bayern player to claim it in 45 years. He told Sky Sports News after Bayern’s Champions League draw against Arsenal that “It’d be incredible if I do… I’d love to win it, but we will have to wait and see.”
Kane’s caution reflects stiff competition from La Liga duo Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe. The 19‑year‑old Yamal, 14 years younger than Kane, aims to become the youngest‑ever winner, while Mbappé has surged into second‑favourite after a late betting shift. Both have solid seasons: Yamal lifted La Liga and his Super Cup, whereas Mbappé failed to secure a trophy with Real Madrid or France.
Sky Sports evaluates the three contenders over the August 3 2025‑July 19 2026 window. Kane helped Bayern win the Bundesliga and German Cup and reached the Champions League semi‑finals. Yamal’s Barcelona and Mbappé’s Real Madrid both exited in the quarter‑finals. Pundits say the 70th edition could hinge on who delivered the greatest impact across domestic and European competition.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing