Yamal or Kane? Experts Split as Ballon d'Or Drama Builds

Yamal claimed La Liga and the World Cup with Spain, while Kane netted 73 goals for Bayern Munich and England over the past 12–18 months. Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi of Inter Miami are also in contention, as are Paris St-Germain's back-to-back Champions League winners.

According to BBC Sport's assembled experts, the picture grows messier. European football expert Guillem Balague backs Yamal, citing individual performances, collective trophies and an undeniable aura. Yet fellow analyst Julien Laurens believes PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia deserves it, having shone throughout the Champions League run—penalising Yamal for a quieter World Cup and Barcelona's early European exit.

Stephen Warnock and Rory Smith also favour Yamal as the likely winner, though both argue Kvaratskhelia has the stronger case. Smith notes the award typically gravitates toward World Cup winners, despite Yamal not being Spain's most pivotal player.

Two former England stars diverge entirely. Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy both back Kane, citing his relentless goalscoring and elite centre-forward form. Murphy calls him the best number 9 in the world over the past year.

The vote split among PSG players—Ruiz, Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Vitinha—may yet scatter ballots and alter the outcome unexpectedly.