Who should win the men’s Ballon d’Or? BBC Sport pundits have their say
Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane are the bookmakers’ leading contenders for the men’s Ballon d’Or, which is due to be announced in London on 26 October. BBC Sport’s pundits disagree over who deserves the award, with several backing Paris St-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as the strongest performer in European club football.
Some experts expect Yamal to win, citing his talent, Spain’s World Cup triumph and his individual performances; others say Kvaratskhelia’s role in PSG retaining the Champions League makes him the better choice. Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy favour Kane, pointing to his prolific scoring for Bayern Munich and England. The article also names Fabian Ruiz, Ousmane Dembele, Vitinha and Michael Olise as other players in contention.
In short
- Pundits are split over the Ballon d’Or favourite.
- Yamal, Kane and Kvaratskhelia draw support.
- Several experts expect Yamal to win.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Yamal is a compelling choice for his exceptional individual performances and his contribution to Spain’s World Cup triumph, while Kane’s prolific scoring for Bayern Munich and England makes a strong case for rewarding sustained goalscoring excellence. The award can reasonably recognise the player whose individual talent and impact stand out most across the season.
The case against
Kvaratskhelia may be the stronger choice if the award gives greater weight to decisive contributions to team success: his role in PSG retaining the Champions League is a powerful achievement in European club football. Other contenders, including Dembele, Ruiz, Vitinha and Olise, also underline the case for judging the season by more than reputation or raw goal totals.
Explained simply
The Ballon d’Or is an annual award for the footballer judged to have been the best in the world over the previous season. Voters consider players’ performances for both their clubs and their national teams.
The contenders include forwards and midfielders who have impressed in European club football and international matches. Lamine Yamal plays for Barcelona and Spain, Harry Kane for Bayern Munich and England, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for Paris St-Germain and Georgia.
The award attracts debate because voters may weigh goals, individual skill, team success and consistency differently. Its result is one way of recognising a standout season, though it does not settle every argument about who played best.