Ballon d'Or 2026: Troy Deeney picks favourite to win award on Monday

Watford legend, Troy Deeney has picked Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal as the favourite to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or on Monday.

Deeney believes the Spain international will claim the Ballon d'Or in London ahead of Bayern Munich's Harry Kane because he won the FIFA World Cup.

Speaking on CBS Sports Golazo, Deeney said, "For me in all seriousness, Harry Kane has been fantastic, unbelievable.

"It feels similar when it was Vinicius Junior and Rodri who were going to win the [2024] Ballon d'Or.

"There were a lot of people who said Vinicius Junior, the best player, great stats, but the way that the voting seems to have gone, seems to be based on what you have won.

"Lamine Yamal won the World Cup so that should be really what tips him in his favour, I think."

Yamal finished second behind winner, Ousmane Dembele in the 2025 Ballon d'Or ranking.

Ballon d'Or 2026: Troy Deeney picks favourite to win award on Monday