Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal headline the race for the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or, with England captain Kane emerging as the bookmakers’ favourite to end the country’s 25- year wait for the prestigious individual award.

 The winner will be announced today at 70th edition of the ceremony, with Kane seeking the first Englishman since Micheal Owen in 2001 to claim football’s most coveted individual honour.

  The Bayern  Munich striker’s potential triumph would also make him only fifth English player to win the award, following Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen.

   Kane would further end Bayern Munich’s 45- year wait for a Ballon d’Or winner, with the German club last represented by a recipient in 1981.

However, the England international faces stiff competition from Real Madrid forward Mbappe and Barcelona teenager Yamal in what is expected to be a closely contested race.

  Kane has remained cautious about his prospects despite the growing expectations surrounding his candidacy.

   Speaking to Sky Sports News after Bayern Munich’s Champions League draw against Arsenal last Wednesday, the striker acknowledged the significance of winning the award but declined to look far ahead.

    “It’d be incredible if I do. It’d be special for sure. I’d love to win it, but we will have to wait and see. A big night, but I’m not getting carried away,” Kane said.

 Yamal, meanwhile, is pursuing a historic milestone of his own. At 19, the Barcelona forward is aiming to become the youngest-ever winner of the men’s Ballon d’Or, a distraction that would place him in the record books.

  The Spain international has established himself among the leading figures in world football, and his performance have strengthened his case against more experienced contenders.

   Mbappe,one of the most prolific forwards of his generation, completes the leading trio, setting up a context between three players whose individual performances have attracted considerable attention throughout the season.

     With the ceremony approaching, the outcome remains the focus of debate among supporters and pundits, many of whom have backed Kane to secure the prize.

       For the Bayern striker, victory would represent a personal landmark and a significant moment for English football. For Yamal, it would be an opportunity to make at an exceptionally young age, while Mbappe will be seeking to add the award to the growing list of individual achievements.

     The announcement today will settle the contest and reveal which of the three contenders has done to claim 2026 Ballon d’Or.