Ballon d’Or 2026: He really stands out – Emile Heskey picks player to win award

Former England international, Emile Heskey has picked the player to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

The winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or will be announced later this month in London.

Organisers of the Ballon d’Or have already shortlisted 30 players to compete for the award.

However, Heskey believes Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal will win the Ballon d’Or ahead of Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane because the Spain international really stood out.

“The Ballon d’Or race? Unfortunately for Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal really stands out,” Heskey told Casinolyze as quoted by Bavarian Football Works.

“He is the next face of football that everyone is pushing, so it makes sense for whoever is voting to lean that way. I think he will get the nod this year.”