The identity of the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner remains closely guarded ahead of Monday evening’s ceremony in London, with only about five people believed to know the result.
Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane are among the leading contenders, while Ousmane Dembele is seeking to retain the award.
According to French broadcaster RMC, organisers stopped telling players the outcome of the vote in advance in 2024. The change was introduced to ensure the winner’s name remains confidential until the official announcement.
Mbappe’s recent comments about his ambition to win the Ballon d’Or have prompted questions over whether his public campaign could influence voters. However, Pascal Ferre, the award’s former president, played down the significance of such statements, saying the decision rests with the journalists who vote rather than the public.
“How do we keep the winner’s identity hidden? I think a well-kept secret is one shared with as few people as possible. Then there are small tricks and simple methods,” Ferre said.
“My method was to allow fake rankings to circulate within the editorial office of France Football, to fuel social media, and that amused me. At the moment, there should be no more than five people who know the winner’s name.”
Contenders and reported leaks
RMC analyst Jerome Rothen said Mbappe would not be his choice for the award, arguing that the absence of team honours counted against the Real Madrid forward despite his goalscoring figures.
Kane has attracted attention after scoring 73 goals last season, including 61 for Bayern Munich. Yamal, meanwhile, has impressed through his performances for Barcelona and scored 16 goals in La Liga during the 2025-2026 season.
The report also credited Yamal with playing a role in Spain’s World Cup triumph.
In recent days, fake leaks have spread on X, claiming to show the order of the leading candidates. Some included fabricated screenshots of conversations, messages and lists placing either Mbappe or Kane at the top.
A source familiar with the process described those leaks as impossible, saying they were part of the usual speculation surrounding the award before the winner is announced.
