Yamal, Mbappé, Kane and Messi in Contention to Win the Ballon d’Or. Here’s What to Know
Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe are the leading men’s contenders, while Alexia Putellas is favored for a third women’s title.
- The 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony takes place at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26, 2026, marking the first time the award is hosted outside France. Organizers moved the gala to honor 1956 inaugural winner Stanley Matthews.
- Jurors judged nominees based on performances between August 3, 2025, and July 19, 2026, applying three criteria: individual achievements, "decisive and impressive character," and "class and fair play." A panel of specialized journalists selected the winner from a 30-man shortlist.
- England captain Harry Kane is the bookmakers' favorite, holding about 70 percent of the market share after scoring 73 goals last season. Rivals Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal remain serious contenders for the prize.
- Spain captain Alexia Putellas leads the women's category, seeking to match Aitana Bonmati's record of three trophies. The ceremony also features 13 awards including the Socrates Award for "solidarity initiatives and societal causes."
- A new generation of stars, including Yamal and Mbappe, is ready to stamp their names on the award, ending the long personal duel between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi holds the record with eight wins.
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St Catharines StandardYamal, Mbappé, Kane and Messi in contention to win the Ballon d’Or. Here’s what to know
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — The Ballon d’Or winners will be announced on Monday with a new generation of soccer stars, led by Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé, ready to stamp their name on the trophy that for so long was a personal duel between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi, of course, is still in...
All the news from the 2026 Ballon d'Or broadcast.
Yamal, Mbappé, Kane and Messi in contention to win the Ballon d'O
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — The Ballon d’Or winners will be announced on Monday with a new generation of soccer stars, led by Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé, ready to stamp their name on the trophy that for
Yamal, Mbappé, Kane and Messi in contention to win the Ballon d'Or. Here's what to know
The Ballon d’Or winners will be announced on Monday with a new generation of soccer stars, led by Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé, ready to stamp their name on the trophy that for so long was a personal duel between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Football expert Tuukka Kotimäki analyzes who will win the Ballon d'Or, awarded to the world's best football player, this year.
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