Owen Hargreaves names Harry Kane and Rodri as top Ballon d'Or 2026 favourites
Former Manchester United and Manchester City midfielder Owen Hargreaves has named Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane and Barcelona midfielder Rodri as his top two favourites to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or. He shared his views in an interview with Bavarian Football Works, published on August 31, 2026 by journalist Don Silas. Hargreaves said Kane's incredible goalscoring record, league title with Bayern and strong World Cup performance make him a standout, while Rodri's success in winning both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup with Manchester City, plus his World Cup win and tournament-best player status, also puts him in contention. He added that although several contenders exist, none clearly stands out above these two. The winner of this year's Ballon d'Or will be announced in October in London. Last year's award went to Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele. The Ballon d'Or remains football's most prestigious individual honour, often influencing player legacies, transfer markets and endorsement opportunities. Fans and analysts use such predictions to gauge form ahead of the season's climax and major tournaments.
If you had a vote, would you lean toward Kane's goal‑scoring prowess or Rodri's complete midfield influence when deciding who deserves football's top individual prize?