Kane faces Yamal and Mbappe in London Ballon d’Or race

Harry Kane is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or at Monday’s ceremony in London, but Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe remain contenders in an open race for the men’s award.

The 70th ceremony will be held in England for the first time, in recognition of the award’s first winner, Stanley Matthews. A victory for the Bayern Munich striker would make Kane the first English winner in 25 years.

Kane’s case for the award

Kane scored 73 goals in 65 games for club and country last season. He helped Bayern win a league and cup double and captained England to the World Cup semi-finals.

His chances are less clear-cut after Bayern exited the Champions League in the semi-finals and England fell at the same stage of the World Cup. Kane said winning the Ballon d’Or would be a major milestone in his career, while acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the result.

Yamal and Mbappe make their claims

Yamal finished second to Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele last year. The Barcelona player’s club season ended early because of a hamstring injury, although Spain went on to win the World Cup.

The 19-year-old was beaten to the tournament’s player and young player awards by Barcelona team-mates Rodri and Pau Cubarsi. He nevertheless believes his achievements put him in contention, saying last month: “For me, Mbappe and me, we’re the two best players in the world.”

Mbappe presents a different case. The Real Madrid player was the leading scorer in La Liga, the Champions League and the World Cup, but won none of those competitions with his club or France. His 10 goals at the World Cup also made him the competition’s all-time leading scorer, with 22.

Voting and what comes next

One football journalist from each of the top 100 nations in Fifa’s rankings is invited to rank 10 players from a 30-man shortlist. Their choices receive between 15 and one point, with the Ballon d’Or going to the player with the highest total.

The women’s award will also be decided in London. Alexia Putellas is the frontrunner for a third win after helping Barcelona regain the Champions League last season before moving to London City Lionesses. Her former Barcelona team-mate Ewa Pajor, who scored 11 goals in that Champions League campaign, is her main challenger.

Aitana Bonmati’s three-year run as women’s winner could end after an injury-hit year.