In brief
The Ballon d'Or winner will be announced in London on 26 October, but the football community has already started to debate the likely recipients. BBC Sport’s panel of experts cover a range of options, from the 19‑year‑old Lamine Yamal who lifted Spain to World Cup glory to England’s Harry Kane, the Bayern ace who has racked up 73 goals in 12 months. Other serious dark‑horses include PSG superstar Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and France’s Kylian Mbappé, while the legend Lionel Messi is still a name in the conversation. In this article the pundits give their weighted opinions, backed by recent club and international performances, and readers can explore supporting footage and images in the virtual space.
The Ballon d'Or winner will be announced in London on 26 October – but who is set to claim the trophy?
Bookmakers have Spain winger Lamine Yamal and England captain Harry Kane very close together as clear favourites. Yamal won La Liga with Barcelona and the World Cup with Spain, while Kane has piled up 73 goals for Bayern Munich and England.
Other strong contenders include eight‑time winner Lionel Messi, France forward Kylian Mbappé and a host of Paris Saint‑Germain stars such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Fabian Ruiz.
Guillem Balague: "A Ballon d'Or not won by a PSG or Spanish player? Impossible. The only Spaniard who deserves it is Yamal – his individual brilliance, team trophies and aura point to him winning.”
Julien Laurens: "Kvaratskhelia was the best player in Europe last season, especially in the Champions League. He may not win it, but he deserves a shot.”
Stephen Warnock: "Yamal's World Cup win gives him the edge, but I personally see Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as a top‑tier contender because of his dynamism at PSG.”
Rory Smith: "The trophy generally goes to someone who won the biggest title; Yamal's World Cup win gives him momentum, yet Kvaratskhelia’s European success is substantial.”
Alan Shearer: "Harry Kane is the clear choice – his numbers with Bayern and England have been sensational, deserving of the Ballon d'Or.”
Danny Murphy: "Kane’s goalscoring record is relentless; he has had one of the best seasons of his career. The trophy should go to him.”
Andros Townsend: "Kane’s 73 goals in 65 games, Bundesliga double and World Cup semi‑final place make him the ideal Ballon d'Or winner.”
Ellen White: "It’s a tough one – I want to see Kane win it. Yamal won the World Cup, but Kane’s season for Bayern has been remarkable.”
Lars Sivertsen: "Kane deserves the award; his leadership at Bayern and quiet professionalism match the Ballon d’Or’s prestige.”
The debate is far from settled. Whether the World Cup champion or the Champions League maestro takes the award remains to be seen, but the virtual briefing from BBC Sport gives fans a unique platform to weigh in on the next football legend’s moment of glory.
