Lamine Yamal or Harry Kane? Anthony Gordon weighs in on Ballon d’Or race ahead of England vs Spain

Anthony Gordon has offered his take on the Ballon d’Or race, naming Barcelona star Lamine Yamal and England captain Harry Kane as the two players with the strongest claims to football’s most prestigious individual prize.

Gordon, who recently completed a £70 million move to Barcelona, has experienced Yamal’s quality first-hand and will also line up alongside Kane when England face Spain in the Nations League.

While Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe remains among the leading contenders, Gordon believes Yamal and Kane have produced historic seasons that make them impossible to separate.

Gordon names his two Ballon d’Or favourites

Gordon is in a unique position to assess both contenders after making the move to Catalonia.

The 25-year-old has made an impressive start to his Barcelona career, registering five assists in his first seven appearances while developing a relationship with teenage sensation Yamal.

Now, he will face his club team-mate on the international stage when England take on world champions Spain.

Gordon believes the Ballon d’Or debate ultimately comes down to Yamal and Kane based on what they achieved during the 2025-26 campaign.

Kane scored a remarkable 73 goals across all competitions, while Yamal helped secure both La Liga and World Cup honours.

‘He’s on a whole other level’ – Gordon praises Yamal

Asked to choose between his Barcelona team-mate and England captain, Gordon was reluctant to dismiss either player’s case.

However, he was particularly emphatic when discussing Yamal’s extraordinary rise.

“For me, it has to be one of the two in terms of what they’ve achieved,” Gordon said.

“What Lamine’s achieved at such a young age. The kind of player he is, is ridiculous. He’s on a whole other level right now. For a 19-year-old to be doing what he’s doing is crazy.”

Gordon was then asked whether Yamal is currently the best winger in world football.

His response was equally clear.

“I think so. I think when you’re talking as a pure player, ability, for me he’s number one for sure.”

The praise comes after a campaign in which Yamal continued to establish himself as one of the biggest young stars in world football.

Gordon refuses to overlook Kane’s historic season

Despite his admiration for Yamal, Gordon stressed that Kane’s extraordinary goalscoring numbers give the England captain an equally compelling Ballon d’Or case.

“But if we were talking off last season, H [Kane] has got as big of an argument as anybody because his season was historic,” Gordon explained.

“The amount of goals he scored, the things he’s done for us within the World Cup, they both have large arguments. So I wish them both the best of luck.”

Kane’s 73-goal campaign puts him firmly in the conversation, while his contribution to England’s World Cup run further strengthens his claim.

For Gordon, however, there is no clear answer between the two.

Gordon reunites with Kane as England face Spain

The Ballon d’Or discussion comes as England prepare for a major Nations League clash against Spain.

The match represents a new chapter for Thomas Tuchel’s side following England’s dramatic World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina.

Gordon had initially put England ahead in the second half of that match, but Argentina responded with goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez to complete a late 2-1 comeback.

Tuchel faced heavy criticism for his tactical approach during the defeat, but the Football Association has continued to back the German manager.

He is now tasked with rebuilding England and developing a team capable of challenging for Euro 2028, which will be staged on home soil.

The upcoming meeting with Spain therefore offers Gordon another opportunity to share the pitch with Kane while also facing his Barcelona team-mate Yamal — two players he believes have a genuine claim to the Ballon d’Or.