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Harry Kane has his “hat in the ring” for Ballon d'Or recognition, former England striker Andy Cole has told GOAL, but the prolific Bayern Munich forward is not being viewed as a nailed-on choice for Golden Ball glory in 2026. The Three Lions captain is among the nominees, but he is up against stiff competition from Rodri, Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Michael Olise and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Bayern, Paris Saint-Germain and Spain stars are all in contention.

Any one of those elite performers could walk away with the top honour when the final votes are counted. Paris Saint-Germain have secured back-to-back Champions League titles, while Spain lifted a world crown at the 2026 World Cup.

Real Madrid striker Mbappe also made history at that tournament by becoming its all-time leading scorer, while key figures at the Allianz Arena produced remarkable numbers for both goals and assists last season.

Kane scored 73 times in appearances for club and country, with the evergreen 33-year-old regarded by many as worthy of the ‘best player on the planet’ label. He has been officially confirmed as a Ballon d'Or contender, with the 30-man shortlist now revealed.

Has Kane done enough to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or?

Asked whether Kane should be placed at the top, given everything he has achieved over the last 12 months, former England forward Cole told GOAL: “It depends what the votes are during the Ballon d'Or, what people are voting for. You can only look at things like that.

“I mean, sometimes people win the Ballon d'Or, very unexpected people have won the Ballon d'Or. It's all about perceptions and what people want. His hat's in the ring. He had a fantastic season for Bayern, so his hat's definitely in the ring. But who knows when it comes to the Ballon d'Or.”

Is Mbappe the best player on the planet?

The Ballon d'Or is meant to reward individual ability, not simply trophy success. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated that stage for the best part of the last 20 years, but their long-standing grip on those honours has started to loosen.

If talent, rather than medals, is what is being recognised, then should that system see France forward Mbappe rise to the top, with the 27-year-old possessing pace and finishing instincts that separate him from many of his peers?

When that question was put to 1999 Treble winner Cole, the former Manchester United striker, who knows a thing or two about scoring goals, said: “The best player in the world? He's up there, isn't he? He's up there. If you look at what he's done, not just for France, but for Real Madrid and teams like that, you've got to put him up there.

“If you ask people who they believe is the best player in the world now, his name will be bandied about all the time. But like I said, it depends on what people's views are on how they judge certain things, to why they get to who wins the Ballon d'Or.”

2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony: Date & venue

Madrid ‘Galactico’ Mbappe, despite everything he has achieved, has never finished higher than third in the Ballon d'Or voting. He looks set to miss out again in 2026, with others appearing to have built stronger cases for Golden Ball recognition.

His moment may still come, along with Barcelona wonderkid Yamal, while Kane - entering the later, highly productive phase of his career - has done enough to justify his place right at the top of the global game. Football's most prestigious individual prize will be presented in London on October 26.