Deeney tips Yamal for Ballon d'Or ahead of Kane as ceremony nears Monday
Watford legend Troy Deeney has backed Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or when the ceremony takes place in London on Monday. Speaking on CBS Sports Golazo, Deeney acknowledged Harry Kane's 'fantastic, unbelievable' season with Bayern Munich but believes Yamal's FIFA World Cup triumph with Spain will be the deciding factor.
Deeney drew parallels to the 2024 award where Rodri beat Vinicius Junior despite the Brazilian's superior individual stats. The pattern suggests voters prioritise tournament success over personal numbers. Yamal, who finished second behind Ousmane Dembele in the 2025 ranking, now has the World Cup medal that eluded him last year.
Kane's Bayern campaign yielded impressive personal tallies but no major silverware. The England captain has never won a senior team trophy, a gap that appears to weigh against him in Ballon d'Or voting logic. Yamal at 19 would become one of the youngest winners ever, following a breakthrough year that included Euro 2024 glory.
The ceremony airs Monday evening in London. For Nigerian fans tracking the vote, the key question: does a World Cup at 19 outweigh a 40-goal club season? History says yes.