Ballon d'Or 2026: He delights me most - Daniel Riolo picks winner

England captain Harry Kane is the frontrunner to win the prestigious 70th Ballon d'Or award, set to be held in London for the first time. Kane's remarkable 73-goal haul in 65 appearances for both club and country last season, leading Bayern Munich to a league and cup double, as well as England to the semi-finals of the World Cup, has cemented his position as the favorite. However, the outcome remains uncertain due to Kane's early exits from both the Champions League and World Cup this season.

Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe are also strong contenders for the award. Yamal, the second-placed player in last year's Ballon d'Or, finished second to Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain. Despite his impressive individual performances, Yamal's hamstring injury during the World Cup affected his form, and Barcelona's collective triumph overshadowed his individual brilliance. Yamal remains confident, stating that he and Mbappe are the two best players in the world.

Mbappe, on the other hand, boasts numerous personal milestones, including being the top goalscorer in La Liga, the Champions League, and the World Cup without winning any of those trophies. His 10 World Cup goals make him the all-time top scorer in the competition's history. Mbappe has candidly stated that he believes he and Yamal are the two best players in the world, further solidifying his position as a frontrunner for the award.