Ballon d'Or favorites emerge as debate around voting intensifies

Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal are strong contenders for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, with Kane aiming to end Bayern Munich's 45-year wait for the accolade. Yamal could become the first Barcelona player to win since Lionel Messi in 2019. Former France Football editor Pascal Ferré defended the voters, asserting they possess the necessary judgment to evaluate players without external pressures. The ongoing discourse highlights past controversies surrounding the award's voting process, specifically regarding perceived injustices to players like Robert Lewandowski.

• 7:00 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Voters aren’t naive’ claims former Ballon d’Or chief