Ballon d'Or 2025 Voting Closes, Kane Emerges as Strong Favourite Ahead of Yamal

Voting for the Ballon d’Or officially closed on Monday, September 28 at midnight. Most of the one hundred journalists participating in the election had already cast their votes well before the deadline, making any last-minute upset impossible.

Each juror represents one of the top one hundred countries in the FIFA rankings and ranks ten players among the thirty nominees according to a descending scale: fifteen points for the first choice, twelve for the second, ten for the third, and so on. Once the deadline passes, the votes are final and counted internally by France Football, the trophy’s organizer.

For the first time in Ballon d’Or history, the ceremony will be held in London. On October 26, at the London Palladium, an Englishman could lift the trophy. Harry Kane, Bayern Munich striker, is the strong favourite according to bookmakers to succeed Rodri. Last season, the England international scored 61 goals in 51 matches across all competitions and won three titles with his Bavarian club. With England, he also contributed to a third-place finish at the last World Cup.

His main designated rival is Lamine Yamal. The Spanish prodigy from FC Barcelona, the revelation of Euro 2024 won with La Roja, represents the most serious alternative to a Kane victory. Suspense should nonetheless remain until the official announcement at the London evening ceremony.

The period of hegemony by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who won thirteen Ballon d’Ors between them, had long made the winner’s name predictable — and often known before the ceremony through leaks. Since the end of this dominance, the secret has been better kept, adding an unprecedented dose of suspense to the event.