Ballon D'Or Odds: Kane Backed To Win Coveted Prize
Kylian Mbappe is the strong favourite on betting sites to be crowned next year's Ballon d'Or winner, but he is coming under pressure at the head of the market by a trio of players that includes England captain Harry Kane.
The Bayern Munich hitman is enjoying another prolific season in the Bundesliga, scoring 17 goals so far to add to his incredible tally since joining the German club from Spurs.
Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal and Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland are also popular in the Ballon d'Or betting market, so it may come down to which of the contenders' teams can triumph in the Champions League and World Cup to influence the destination of the prestigious player award.
This is something Kane is well aware of, as he said in a recent interview about his chances of winning: "I could score 100 goals this season… but if I don’t win the Champions League or the World Cup, I probably won’t win the Ballon d’Or."
There is a lot of ground to cover before we find out who will take over from Ousmane Dembele as the world's best footballer, so the odds are likely to change significantly as the season progresses.
The Ballon d'Or season runs from August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026, so performances at the World Cup in North America will also be taken into account.
For now, we take a stronger look at the main contenders for this season's prize.
Ballon d'Or 2025 Odds:
Mbappe's Year?
Mbappe's performances for Madrid have been outstanding, and the former PSG man is now a clear 11/4 favourite to win the Ballon d’Or.
The leading scorer in La Liga with 16 goals, the striker is also the top scorer in this season's Champions League (9), and he was the top marksman for France in World Cup qualifying (5).
One thing going against the Frenchman is his club's performance in the league. They are currently four points behind Barcelona, and the pressure is growing on manager Xabi Alonso.
If Madrid can bag another league title or Champions League, Mbappe would have a great chance of winning his first Ballon d'Or.
Prolific Kane Staking Claim
Michael Owen was the last English player to win the Ballon d’Or, but could Kane end a 25-year wait by becoming the next one?
The England captain was rated the 10th best player in 2017 and 2018, but he has been on fire for club and country this season.
Kane has scored an incredible 17 goals in just 13 appearances in the Bundesliga in what has been another dominant display by Bayern Munich.
Champions League Odds
The German club are currently second in the Champions League table with 15 points from six games, during which the former Tottenham striker has scored five goals.
England have already qualified for next year’s World Cup and are second favourites to lift the trophy in North America, so Kane is clearly a livewire to win the Ballon d’Or.
Having been 7/1 on betting apps, he is now just 4/1.
What a feeling ! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/A0lmSJGlYL
— Harry Kane (@HKane) May 10, 2025
Youngster Yamal Well Placed
As already stated, to win the Ballon d’Or, a player needs to have been part of a successful team, and Yamal already looks to have a good chance with both club and country over the next nine months.
Yamal has netted six goals and provided seven assists in La Liga for Barcelona, who are now four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table.
European champions Spain are the 5/1 favourites with some football betting sites to lift the World Cup for a second time next year, so Yamal has a great chance if Barca can deliver domestically and in Europe.
At 18 years of age, Yamal has plenty of time on his hands to win multiple Ballon d’Or awards, but his price has drifted in recent days from 5/2 to 9/2.
Haaland In Hot Form
Erling Haaland is unlikely to win the World Cup with Norway, but his 16 goals in qualification have helped his country qualify for next year's tournament, and he has also been in red-hot form for Manchester City, despite the team's inconsistency in the Premier League.
His 15 Premier League goals are already four more than his nearest challenger, and he also has six in the Champions League.
Haaland was 10/1 in the Ballon d’Or betting odds last month, but those odds have been cut to 6/1 with some bookmakers, although he is as short as 7/2 with others.
Still only 25, the big Norwegian still has plenty of years to win the coveted players' trophy.
Influential Rice Deserves Respect
Declan Rice is priced at 10/1 for the Ballon d’Or and is deserving of the respect for his all-around influence in Arsenal’s midfield.
The England international has two goals and three assists to his name in the Premier League, but it is his passing accuracy, tackling and driving forward runs that make him stand out.
His performances have been key to the Gunners impressing domestically and in Europe, as they sit at the top of both the Premier League and Champions League standings.
At double-digit odds, Rice looks a live outsider if voters prefer midfield control and consistency over headline goal totals.
Vinicius And Saka Among Outsiders
Rice's Arsenal team mate Bukayo Saka is priced at 40/1 to win this season's Ballon d'Or.
The winger has been in excellent form this season, and if the Gunners can make it over the line at the end of the season, the England international's odds will shorten significantly.
Vinicius Junior (33/1) has also had a stellar season to date, registering five goals and five assists for Real Madrid.
The Brazilian finished runner-up in 2024, so he will be looking to go one better this time around.
Messi Rolling Back The Years
With eight wins to his name, Lionel Messi (25/1) holds the record for the most Ballon d'Or victories.
Now 38, the former Barcelona and PSG star was thought to be coming to the end of his career, but the World Cup winner has been revitalised playing for recent MLS Cup winners Inter Miami.
PSG playmaker Vitinha, third last year, is an outsider at 20/1, while Pedri and Michael Olise can be backed at 33/1.
Who do you think will win this season's Ballon d'Or? Let us know in the comments below, or vote in the poll above!
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