Ballon d'Or 2026: Can Harry Kane End 25-Year English Drought?
The Guardian ranks Ballon d'Or contenders, highlighting Harry Kane's 61-goal season as top. Will he become the first English winner in 25 years?
TL;DR Harry Kane is the leading candidate for the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or, with The Guardian assessing his chances against other shortlisted players.
Key Points - Harry Kane scored 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern Munich last season. - The award winner will be announced in October 2026. - An English winner would mark the first in 25 years. - Rodri and Kylian Mbappe are also on the shortlist.
What We Know According to The Guardian Football, published by Jeff Rueter on September 9, 2026, the shortlist includes Harry Kane, Rodri, and Kylian Mbappe. The article notes that Kane’s 61 goals in 51 Bundesliga matches for Bayern Munich were accompanied by significant playmaking and hold-up contributions. Despite being managed out of later World Cup games, Kane performed well in the last 16 rounds, marking his finest year to date.
Why It Matters This selection represents a historic potential milestone for English football. If Kane wins, he would be the first English player to claim the award in a quarter-century, highlighting the rise of English talent on the global stage.
What Happens Next The official winner of the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or is expected to be announced in October. It is speculative but likely that voting will continue until just before the ceremony, with final votes potentially influenced by any late-season performances.
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