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Ivory CoastHarry Kane Tops Global Mock Vote For Men's Ballon d'Or
A panel of international reporters cast mock ballots for the upcoming Ballon d'Or awards, selecting Harry Kane as the top choice.
Predicting the Ballon d'Or
Predicting who will take home the Ballon d'Or is rarely simple. In 2024, Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior spent weeks expecting to win the men's trophy, only to discover hours before the ceremony that Manchester City midfielder Rodri had won it instead. This year, the debate remains wide open as the football world prepares for the ceremony on October 26 in London.
To gauge who might win, a panel of 20 international reporters submitted mock ballots based on the official shortlists. Each voter selected their top five choices, assigning 15 points for first place, 12 for second, 10 for third, eight for fourth, and six for fifth.
Harry Kane Leads the Vote
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane emerged as the top choice in the mock vote, capturing half of the first place votes. Kane put together a remarkable individual year, scoring 73 goals in 65 appearances across his matches for England and Bayern. Reporter Tom Hamilton pointed out that Kane's individual record stands out despite not winning the World Cup or Champions League.
Only one voter who did not put Kane first placed him second. Meanwhile, Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal had a surprising lack of support in the top spot, earning just a single first place vote from reporter Josué Utrilla, who noted the 19 year old starred for Spain and Barcelona.
World Cup Stars and Top Contenders
Other star names also pulled in top votes. Kylian Mbappé finished as the leading scorer in LaLiga and the Champions League for Real Madrid. He also scored 10 goals at the World Cup, bringing his career total to 22, the highest mark in the history of the tournament.
Lionel Messi earned praise after leading Inter Miami to an MLS Cup title while topping the league's attacking charts. Reporter Anirudh Menon highlighted that at 39 years old, Messi proved at the World Cup that a vast gap still exists between him and other players.
Midfield Excellence and Women's Favorite
Midfielders also received backing. Fabián Ruiz was nominated for his standout role in PSG's Champions League victory and Spain's 2026 World Cup triumph. Rodri, listed with Barcelona, earned votes for controlling the tempo during Spain's World Cup run, where he won the tournament's best player award.
In the Ballon d'Or Féminin, Alexia Putellas stands as the favorite after captaining Barcelona to a quadruple. The official results for all categories will be revealed at the London event.
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