Voting closes as Mbappé, Kane and Yamal vie for Dembélé’s Ballon d’Or
The deadline for the Ballon d’Or votes falls on Monday 28 September, when an international jury of journalists must submit their choices among Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal, with the winner to be announced at a Paris gala on 26 October.
Voting deadline and ceremony
France Football has officially closed the evaluation period for this year’s Ballon d’Or, handing the ballot to an international jury of journalists. Their votes must be submitted by Monday 28 September, and the winner will be revealed at a gala in Paris on 26 October, where the trophy passes from Ousmane Dembélé.
Mbappé’s goal‑scoring feats
Kylian Mbappé arrived at the end of the voting window with a prolific record in both domestic and continental competitions. In La Liga he netted 25 goals from 31 appearances, while in the Champions League he topped the scoring chart with 15 strikes in just 11 matches. His individual numbers place him at the forefront of any statistical comparison.
Despite those figures, Mbappé’s campaign is hampered by an empty club‑trophy cabinet this season, as his side exited the Champions League in the quarter‑finals. On the international stage he reached the World Cup semi‑finals, scoring ten goals and raising his career World Cup tally to 22, a record for the tournament.
Kane’s prolific tally and trophies
Harry Kane arrives with a cumulative total of 73 goals across the season for Bayern Munich and the England national team. Of those, 61 were scored for Bayern in 51 official matches, including 36 goals in 31 Bundesliga games and 14 goals in 13 Champions League fixtures. His output is matched by a collection of silverware.
Kane added the Bundesliga title, the German Cup and the German Super Cup to his résumé, and he has taken on the captain’s role, delivering decisive goals in the finals that secured each trophy. His blend of personal statistics and team success offers a strong argument for the award.
Yamal’s media push and quiet competition
Lamine Yamal has intensified his public profile in recent weeks, joining Mbappé in a series of interviews and appearances that underline his claim to the Ballon d’Or. The Spanish winger’s campaign has been built on visibility rather than a comparable statistical record. By contrast, Harry Kane has maintained a low‑key approach, allowing his goal tally to speak for itself.
The juxtaposition of raw numbers, trophy hauls and media narratives leaves the jury with a complex decision, as the Ballon d’Or race remains open heading into the Paris ceremony. Journalists must weigh whether prolific scoring or collective success carries more weight in this tightly contested edition.