Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal have emerged as the leading contenders for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, according to a report citing conversations with journalists who participated in the voting for football’s most prestigious individual award.

The report, published on Friday, October 16, said journalists who had discussed the race privately appeared to favour Kane, the Bayern Munich and England striker, while Barcelona’s Yamal remained his strongest challenger.

According to Cadena SER journalist Héctor González, who spoke with some of the voters off the record, Kane was reportedly ahead in their discussions about the likely winner.

“When they’ve spoken with other colleagues who voted, the consensus is that Harry Kane is way ahead,” González said.

The journalists are reportedly bound by agreements with the award’s organisers, France Football, not to disclose their individual votes before the official announcement.

González also suggested that Kylian Mbappé could struggle to win the award because he did not secure major trophies with Real Madrid or the French national team during the period being assessed.

“That’s what we’re told, because the Frenchman’s biggest flaw is that he hasn’t won any titles with Real Madrid or the French national team,” he said.

He added that the contest appeared to have narrowed to Kane and Yamal, although the reported conversations do not establish the final voting result.

The 2026 Ballon d’Or race has attracted considerable attention, with several leading players included among the nominees. Other contenders include Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, while Rodri is also among the prominent names in discussions about the award.

Kane’s case rests on his prolific scoring record and performances for Bayern Munich and England, while Yamal has built a strong claim through his influence at Barcelona and his performances for Spain.

Despite the reported support for Kane among some voters, the outcome remains uncertain. Private conversations between journalists cannot establish how all ballots were cast, and the official result will determine the winner.

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for October 26 in London, when the organisers are expected to announce the recipient of the men’s award.