Ballon d'Or Betting Odds: Harry Kane Odds-On, Yamal and Others Close Behind

By Mark Fordham

Aug 7th, 2026 4:21 AM EDT

Used 18 Times Today

Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Wagers Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost
Promo Code: BOOKIESDYW

Bonus Code

BOOKIESDYW

Visit Site

Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. Min. qualifying bet amount: $1. Tokens max. bet amount: $25 per token. Tokens bet max. add'l winnings: $2,500 per token. Token(s) expire 14 days after receipt. Not reissued for voided/pushed bets. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, MO, NJ, TN, VA, WV, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit 1800gambler.net; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; MA: Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org, NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369); LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Caesars New Orleans) Call 1-800-522-4700, Washington, DC (OLG Class A licensed Operator): Call 1-800-MY-RESET. ©2026, Caesars Entertainment

2026 Ballon d'Or Latest Odds

For the first time in quite a few editions we could have a very close Ballon d'Or race before the winner is announced on 26th October. Betting sites have updated their Ballon d'Or odds following the conclusion of the World Cup, with two players standing out above the others in the form of odds-on Harry Kane and Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal.

But crucially, they are not all that far ahead of the market, unlike in some years past. Prices will largely stay static now until the shortlist is announced nearer the time of the award.

Check out the latest Ballon d'Or odds for 2026 below, where we've listed some of the top contenders, their latest price and where you can back them. Keep reading for the latest free bet offers from those sites too, which you can claim up until the winner is announced.

We've moved on from the time when Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had a stranglehold on the Ballon d'Or award. The pair won it five times each from 2008 to 2017, with Messi going on to win it a further three times.

2024's winner, Rodri, is among the favourites again after winning the Golden Ball at the World Cup, but it is Bayern Munich's Harry Kane who is odds-on favourite with Barcelona's Lamine Yamal just behind. They are the top two in the market at most betting apps.

2026 Ballon d'Or Free Bets

Kane Or Yamal To Win 2026 Ballon d'Or?

Harry Kane has done nothing but score goals since joining Bayern Munich, and no more was that on show than last season. He scored a combined 50 goals in 44 games for Bayern in the Bundesliga and Champions League. He then scored six goals for England as they made it through to the World Cup semi-finals.

However, these trophies are rarely given out without a major world or global trophy handed out, even if he is the current favourite for the award. The person second in the betting has that major trophy ticked off.

Indeed, the 19-year-old Lamine Yamal has sparkled once again for both club and country in the last year, inspiring Barcelona to La Liga glory with 16 goals and 11 assists in just 28 games. He then won the World Cup with Spain. However, it wasn't a vintage tournament for a player tipped for greatness on the grandest stage, as he only scored one goal in eight games as he returned from a muscle injury that ended his domestic season early.

The odds at our list of betting sites could have looked very different if he had more of a starring role for the victorious Spanish, but he is still well worth his place near the top of the betting. It may just come a year or two too soon for the forward.

Used 26 Times Today

Bet $10 Get $150 in Bonus Bets

Bet365 Sports Bonus Code

No Code Required

Visit Site

Bet365 Sports Welcome Offer Ts and Cs: GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (AZ, CO, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ). Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). CALL 1-877-770-STOP (LA). 21+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/MI/MO/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA. Licensee partner Amelia Belle Casino. Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.

Spain Players Dominate Nominations

When a team dominates all before them in the World Cup, it should come as no surprise that lots of players are then up for the Ballon d’Or. That is exactly what has happened with Spain, who were deserved winners of the trophy.

Ahead of the tournament, there would have been virtually no chance of Rodri being in the top 10 of the betting at top UK betting sites after an injury-disrupted season for a Man City side that didn't win the Premier League. After he won the Golden Ball with an inspired knockout performance for the Spanish, he will be worthy of consideration.

Fabian Ruiz has done the major double this season with a Champions League win with PSG and the World Cup with Spain. He has now, remarkably, played 50 times for Spain and has never been on the losing side. While not necessarily the outright star of either team, being an important part of both trophy winners means he will surely be under consideration.

Used 34 Times Today

Bet $10 Get $150 in Bonus Bets

Bet365 Sports Bonus Code

No Code Required

Visit Site

Bet365 Sports Welcome Offer Ts and Cs: GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (AZ, CO, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ). Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). CALL 1-877-770-STOP (LA). 21+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/MI/MO/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA. Licensee partner Amelia Belle Casino. Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.

Messi and Mbappe Can Never Be Ruled Out

It was one of the closest Golden Boot races we have ever seen at a World Cup this year, with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe going toe to toe until the latter managed to get two meaningless goals in the third-place play-off, which has likely harmed Messi's odds at new betting sites.

He is fifth-favourite but would have almost certainly been the odds-on favourite had he inspired Argentina to another World Cup trophy. However, the way that his team played in the final will also do nothing for his voters.

Mbappe won the Golden Boot with 10 goals and scored 42 times for Real Madrid last season, so he can't be completely ruled out. But you'd be hard-pressed to be considering him over some of the other players considering he ended the season trophyless, outside of the Golden Boot, of course.

Used 20 Times Today

Bet $10 Get $150 in Bonus Bets

Bet365 Sports Bonus Code

No Code Required

Visit Site

Bet365 Sports Welcome Offer Ts and Cs: GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (AZ, CO, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ). Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). CALL 1-877-770-STOP (LA). 21+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/MI/MO/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA. Licensee partner Amelia Belle Casino. Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.

Dembele and Other Ballon d'Or Dark Horses

Ousmane Dembele was the deserved winner of the Ballon d'Or last season, but he might struggle to retain the trophy this time around. he was still very good for both PSG and France, but the fact the French failed in the semi-finals, means he's an outsider to win the Ballon d'Or with football betting sites.

There are sure to be other dark-horse candidates who will be in the running when the shortlist is announced, but it may only be the top six in the betting who have a realistic chance of winning it.

The Ballon d'Or is voted by an international panel of journalists who vote on the shortlist of up to 30 players. It is one journalist from each of the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations, and points are given for each place handed to a player. For instance, a first-place vote is worth more points than a third-place vote. The cumulative points are added up to find the top three in the Ballon d'Or.

You might also be interested in:

• Best Football Betting Tips For Today
• Free Bet Offers
• Betting Apps
• Betting Sites

Used 33 Times Today

Bet $10 Get $150 in Bonus Bets

Bet365 Sports Bonus Code

No Code Required

Visit Site

Bet365 Sports Welcome Offer Ts and Cs: GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (AZ, CO, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ). Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). CALL 1-877-770-STOP (LA). 21+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/MI/MO/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA. Licensee partner Amelia Belle Casino. Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.

About the Author

Mark Fordham

More About Mark

Mark spent over a decade as a sports reporter and editor with Goal.com and Bleacher Report. He is now a Content Manager at Bookies.com covering all manner of sports from the Premier League and cricket to the NBA and NFL. Mark also has years of experience working in the online casino industry and knows how to rate a good one over a bad one.

Comments

Sign In | Sign Up

Post

View more