REUTERS/Daniel Cole
With the 2026 Ballon d'Or set to be announced in London on 26 October, there are plenty of contenders, but perhaps no obvious favourite.
The World Cup, which was won by Spain, has helped elevate the chances of Lamine Yamal and Rodri. Kylian Mbappe also shone at that tournament, but failed to win any major trophies with Real Madrid. At Paris Saint-Germain, Ousmane Dembele remains in with a shout of retaining his crown, although many feel as though Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was the real star as the French side lifted another Champions League title.
Now weighing in on the debate, USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino has named his favourite for the 2026 Ballon d'Or.
Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
Pochettino Picks His 'Deserved' Ballon d'Or Winner
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Blake Dahlin
As quoted by London Now, Pochettino said that he wants former Tottenham star Harry Kane to lift the award. He explained why, saying:
“My wish, I hope yes. I think he deserves it as the reward for his career and for all what he has done in football. I don’t know if he is going to be punished for the World Cup or the Champions League because he played in both semi-finals.
“Maybe he will be punished, I don’t know, but, for me, it’s Harry Kane’s time."
Pochettino then explained that with no clear 'number one' player in the world right now, it should be given to Kane – as was the case when the likes of Luka Modric, Fabio Cannavaro, and Karim Benzema won the Ballon d'Or. He said:
“It’s not clear today who is the number one in the world who should win. In the past, it was more clear. I think he deserves it. He deserves it in his career like (Luka) Modric or (Fabio) Cannavaro, (Karim) Benzema. I think if I pick one, then it’s Harry Kane.”
Seeing as Kane scored 169 goals in 242 games for Pochettino – the most goals he's bagged for any manager across his career – it's no wonder the former Tottenham boss wants to see the 33-year-old recognised on the biggest stage.
Kane Opens Up on His Award Chances
REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth
Kane is certainly among the favourites after a brilliant season with Bayern Munich and a fine World Cup for England. He scored 73 goals for club and country last term, a record which had only been bettered by Lionel Messi's 82 in 2011-12.
On his chances, the English striker told TNT Sports: "I'm extremely proud of the season I put up, for sure.
"Not that long ago, I was that fan wanting to become a professional footballer and I am here now and winning awards and the Ballon d'Or is the same.
"Of course, now it is out of my hands, it is down to the voters and the people who decide it. The season I had was my best season by far and we'll have to wait and see."