Former Bayern Munich and Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has named the two players he believes could win the 2026 Ballon d'Or, while also revealing who he wants to come out on top at Monday's ceremony.

Now playing in the MLS for Chicago Fire, Lewandowski is considered one of the greatest players never to have won football's most prestigious individual prize - so much so that he may even feel he was robbed of his chance to get his hands on it.

He was the overwhelming favourite to win the award in 2020. However, the ceremony was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving the Poland international to settle for the FIFA Best trophy instead.

Now in his late thirties and playing away from European football, Lewandowski is left to offer his opinion on who the best players in the world are right now. With this year's winner set to be announced in London on Monday night, the striker has revealed his pick ahead of the ceremony.

Lewandowski Picks His Preferred Ballon d'Or Winner Out of His 2 Favourites

Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane are seen as the two big favorites currently, and Lewandowski is rooting for the Barcelona youngster to fit into Lionel Messi's shoes, well ahead of time. He told the Athletic:

“Of course, I push my finger for Lamine to win the Ballon d’Or, because he’s amazing, especially for his age, but still, if you compare now to the previous time, it’s a little bit different."

Speaking more on Kane's chances, Lewandowski pointed to the fact he missed out on a Champions League trophy as the reason he may end up finishing second. “He came to Bayern in his prime and what he’s doing is amazing, how many goals he’s scoring, and especially that Bayern missed this kind of striker after I left,” he added.

“And with him they’re doing a really good job and Olise for me is like: ‘Wow.’ He’s the game-changer player. And I think this work and cooperation between Kane, Olise and Díaz is like a perfect match.

“And how they played last season, I think the only thing that was missing for Bayern was the Champions League trophy. And if they won the Champions League last year, that probably would be (seen) the same as the year we had in 2020, that we won everything, because they played amazing.”

Full of Praise For Another Star, Not Considered a Ballon d'Or Favourite

Lewandowski admitted that Michael Olise is another player who really loves to watch, alongside Yamal. “Lamine and Olise, as wingers, are like the players who have the most power on the team, beside Harry Kane as a striker, as well,” he said.

Lewandowski concluded: “His decisions are perfect. He knows timing, he know when he should shoot to score a goal, he knows when to play the pass, what kind of pass. I love to watch Lamine, but also Olise. To watch how they play.”

The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony, hosted at the London Palladium, will commence at 17:00 GMT. The men's award is not expected to be announced until much later into the four-hour event, though other awards being handed out include the women's award, the young player's award, and goalkeeper award.