Kane leads Ballon d'Or poll with 50% of votes after 61-goal Bayern season

Harry Kane is the overwhelming readers’ choice to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or, with the Bayern Munich striker claiming 50% of 1,262 votes in a Mirror Football poll ahead of the award ceremony later in October.

Kane’s candidacy rests on one of the most productive individual seasons in recent memory. The England captain scored 61 goals and added seven assists across 51 appearances in all competitions for Bayern, helping Thomas Tuchel’s side win the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal — the latter secured with a hat-trick in the final. He also led the Three Lions to a third-place finish at the 2026 World Cup, netting six times during the tournament.

Kylian Mbappé, who claimed the World Cup Golden Boot for a second time, finished second in the poll with 13% of votes. Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal took third place on 10%, with Lionel Messi on 7%. The remaining 20% of respondents backed another nominee from the 30-man shortlist.

Last year’s winner was Ousmane Dembélé, who was crowned after spearheading Paris Saint-Germain to their first-ever Champions League title.

Former Bayern and England midfielder Owen Hargreaves has publicly backed Kane to become the first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001. “I think this year, Harry’s the favourite, but there’s some other big candidates in there,” Hargreaves said. “The body of work is there. Harry’s ageing like a fine wine.”

Hargreaves also pointed to Kane’s vindication after a move that drew scepticism at the time. “A lot of people criticised him for making the move to Bayern Munich, but it’s actually proven to be the right decision. He’s been here for three seasons and two of his best ever seasons, statistically, have been at Bayern Munich.”

Kane is not the only England international on the 30-man shortlist. Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has also been nominated, as has Arsenal’s Declan Rice, who won the Premier League and reached the Champions League final this season.