Barcelona fear Lamine Yamal could miss out on 2026 Ballon d’Or

Barcelona reportedly believe Lamine Yamal may not win the Ballon d’Or, with Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane emerging as a leading contender ahead of Monday’s ceremony in London.

Despite Yamal’s nomination for football’s most prestigious individual award, the report suggests there is growing uncertainty within the Catalan club over the teenager’s chances of claiming the prize.

However, the final result remains unknown, and the impressions circulating within Barcelona do not confirm the outcome of the voting.

Kane, Yamal and Mbappe Lead the Race

Three prominent names are attracting attention in the men’s Ballon d’Or race: Barcelona winger Yamal, Bayern Munich striker Kane and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe.

Kane enters the contest on the back of his goalscoring record and domestic honours with Bayern Munich. Yamal’s case is built on his influence for Barcelona and the Spanish national team, while Mbappe has recorded impressive scoring numbers despite not winning major titles with Real Madrid during the season.

The outcome will determine which of the three stars claims the award at the 70th edition of the ceremony.

Yamal Targets Historic Achievement

The Ballon d’Or carries particular significance for Yamal, who finished runner-up in the previous edition behind French forward Ousmane Dembele, the 2025 winner.

The Barcelona youngster is now hoping to go one step further and become the youngest player to win the award.

Kane, meanwhile, is aiming to become the first Englishman to claim the men’s Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001.

London Hosts 70th Ballon d’Or Ceremony

The ceremony is scheduled for Monday, 26 October 2026, at the London Palladium, marking the first time London has hosted the event.

The occasion coincides with the 70th anniversary of the award, which was first presented in 1956.

With Yamal, Kane and Mbappe among the leading names under discussion, attention will turn to the final announcement to discover who will take home football’s most coveted individual prize.