- Oct 16, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
Harry Kane has no advance knowledge of Monday's Ballon d'Or outcome and would prefer earlier notice from organisers.
France Football, which presents the award, changed its policy in 2024 and no longer informs winners beforehand. The shift followed last year's controversy, when Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony after a leak indicated Vinícius Júnior had lost to Rodri.
The 33-year-old Bayern Munich striker is bookmakers' favourite to become the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001. He faces competition from Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Inter Miami CF's Lionel Messi on the 30-man shortlist.
Kane said he will "try not to stress out too much" about the decision. His focus remains on club duties after scoring for his tenth consecutive Champions League game Wednesday in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Allianz Arena. Only Cristiano Ronaldo, with 11, has managed a longer streak.
Bayern sit 14th in the UCL League Phase table with two draws and one win. The Bundesliga leaders host third-place Freiburg on Sunday.
Source: ESPN - Wed Oct 21, 7:34 PM ET
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).