Kane targets first English Ballon d'Or since 2001 as Yamal mounts late challenge in London

Harry Kane will bid to become the first English winner of the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001 when the 2026 ceremony takes place in London tonight, with Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal emerging as his most serious challenger.

The Bayern Munich striker and England captain has been in extraordinary form, scoring 89 goals in just 81 appearances for club and country since the start of last season. At 33, Kane is chasing an award that has eluded English football for a quarter of a century — and doing so on the 70th anniversary of Sir Stanley Matthews winning the very first Ballon d’Or.

Yamal’s candidacy has gathered momentum through an increasingly competitive campaign to win over the 100 journalists from the world’s top 100 football nations who cast the votes. The teenage Barcelona winger was central to Spain’s World Cup triumph, and received a public endorsement from Rodri, who won the Golden Ball at that tournament.

Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi are also expected to feature prominently in the final standings, though neither is considered a frontrunner for the top prize this year.

The ceremony marks a rare occasion for London to host one of football’s most celebrated individual awards nights, adding an extra layer of significance to what would be a historic win for Kane and English football.