Ballon d'Or debate makes Kane favourite and Yamal a young surprise
On Monday 26 October 2026, during a special Daily episode, Gert Verheyen and Franky Van der Elst debated the 70th Ballon d'Or edition; one backs Harry Kane as the undisputed favourite, while the other sees Lamine Yamal as a potential young surprise.
Four candidates and their statistics
The programme overview lists Football, Cycling, Tennis, Formula 1, Basketball, Cyclo-cross, calendar, Matches and Programs, after which four names appear in a row: Michael Olise, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal. More information is provided in a seven‑minute audio article.
Harry Kane scored a whopping 73 goals in the 2025‑2026 season, including 14 in the Champions League and six at the World Cup. Lamine Yamal, 19, already has a title with Barcelona and a world championship with Spain to his name, and could become the youngest winner. Kylian Mbappé, 27, is the top scorer in Spain, the Champions League and at the World Cup, while Lionel Messi, 39, delivered 8 goals and 4 assists at the World Cup. Michael Olise, 24, plays for Bayern.
Verheyen and Van der Elst on the favourites
Gert Verheyen names Harry Kane his favourite: “He is a No 9 like there’s no other No 9, a striker who can take his team by the hand.” He praises Kane’s brilliance, personality and trophy cabinet, but notes that he does not drive a Bentley or Rolls‑Royce. Franky Van der Elst agrees and adds that Kane is a playmaker who also scores goals, with 14 goals in the Champions League and six at the World Cup.
Franky Van der Elst sees Lamine Yamal as the most brilliant of all, especially if brilliance is the criterion. He highlights Yamal’s star quality and the recent surge in goals and assists. Regarding Lionel Messi he says that he receives an honorable mention, but will not win the Ballon d’Or this year, despite 8 goals and 4 assists at the World Cup. About Kylian Mbappé he notes that he has individually incredible numbers, but does not yet own a Champions League trophy.
Media hype and future outlook
Thibaut Courtois states: “Individually no player this year was better than Kylian Mbappé.” Maarten Vangramberen recalls that years ago it was predicted that both Mbappé and Yamal would win many Ballons. Gert Verheyen warns that awarding Ballons to Yamal prematurely could damage Mbappé’s chances.
Franky Van der Elst concludes with a comment about Michael Olise: “I think you shouldn’t hand him over from Gert to Michael Olise.” With this, Olise remains outside the main contest.
Rarely has the Ballon d’Or stirred emotions as much as this 70th edition; the number of candidate winners and the buzz on social media are broader than ever. For a special Daily episode the two analysts comb through all favourites, giving the debate an unprecedented intensity.