Yamal and Kane lead Ballon d'Or race as 11 players reveal their picks

Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane have emerged as the leading candidates for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, with the annual ceremony scheduled for October and a growing number of current players publicly backing one of the two frontrunners.

Yamal, 19, enjoyed a remarkable season with Barcelona and Spain, winning La Liga, the Supercopa, and the FIFA World Cup — the latter coming just two years after his European Championship triumph with the national side. Kane, meanwhile, scored 61 goals across all competitions for Bayern Munich, who claimed every available domestic trophy in Germany, and captained England to the World Cup semi-finals, netting five times during the tournament.

The Ballon d’Or is judged on individual performances, collective performances, titles won, class, and fair play. Unofficially, goals and assists have historically carried significant weight given the number of attackers who have claimed the prize.

Barcelona forward Raphinha left no room for doubt when asked about his teammate. “I have no doubts. Lamine Yamal should win the Ballon d’Or,” he said. “It depends on individual stats, collective titles, magic, charisma, and many things. Lamine has them all. He has incredible numbers, and not only last season. Three titles, with a World Cup.”

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, himself nominated for his role in the Gunners’ Premier League title win and run to the Champions League final, threw his support behind Kane. “It’s the second year in a row I have been nominated. It’s obviously really good. I’m really proud. Obviously I know who I want to win it. I’d love to see Harry Kane win it, so I’m wishing him all the best in that.”

Not everyone is convinced the award should go to either man. Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez made a case for his Argentina teammate Lionel Messi, despite the 39-year-old narrowly missing out on a second consecutive World Cup winner’s medal. “Who will win the Ballon d’Or? Messi. Without doubt,” Martinez said. “He is the best in the world. He is the best in the history of this sport. As long as he is on the pitch, he will have a chance.”

Beyond those three names, Kylian Mbappé and Rodri also feature among the nominees, though the weight of opinion from within the game currently points toward Yamal and Kane as the two most likely recipients when the winner is announced in October.