2026 Ballon d'Or: Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe explains why he should beat Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal for coveted prize

By Ben Sully | 12 Sep 2026 14:23, Last updated: 12 Sep 2026 15:20

Real Madrid prima Kylian Mbappe has backed himself to triumph the 2026 Ballon d'Or up of Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal.

Mbappe was precocious named among the nominees for the Ballon d'Or grant aft netting 42 goals successful 44 competitory appearances past term.

The Frenchman struck 25 times successful La Liga to triumph the Pichichi, portion helium racked up 15 goals successful Europe to decorativeness the play arsenic the Champions League apical scorer.

Mbappe past played a cardinal relation successful France's World Cup campaign, netting 10 goals successful 8 games to triumph the Golden Boot for the 2nd time.

The 27-year-old's goals were not capable to triumph silverware with Real Madrid and France, but helium inactive believes helium deserves to triumph the Ballon d'Or for the archetypal clip successful his career. 

"No 1 had a amended play than me" - Mbappe

“I judge I tin triumph it this year. It’s 1 of my goals, and a abbreviated word 1 astatine that, due to the fact that determination isn’t overmuch clip left," Mbappe told L'Equipe. 

"Objectively, I tin recognize those who ballot differently. There is nary dictatorship of thought.

"But erstwhile you analyse the arguments and the competition, it wouldn’t beryllium unfair. No 1 had a amended play than maine past season.

"I’ve ever believed that the Ballon d’Or should reward a antithetic benignant of player. Of course, determination is simply a squad constituent and it’s important due to the fact that shot is simply a squad sport.

"But it’s an idiosyncratic award. And my thought of the Ballon d’Or comes from the Messi and Ronaldo era. They ne'er springiness it to mean players, but to players who are different. And I deliberation I did antithetic things this year. That’s wherefore I judge I tin triumph it.

Should Mbappe triumph 2026 Ballon d'Or?

While the Ballon d'Or is an idiosyncratic prize, the occurrence of a nominee's nine and state usually comes into the reasoning erstwhile votes are formed for the prestigious award.

Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane is presently the favourite to cod the prize successful a ceremonial successful London connected October 26.

Kane amassed 61 goals successful 51 competitory games past term, including 14 successful 13 Champions League outings and 36 successful 31 Bundesliga matches.

The England skipper besides netted six goals successful 7 World Cup games arsenic the Three Lions bushed France to 3rd place, the country's champion decorativeness since lifting the trophy successful 1966.

Kane besides lifted the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal trophies, making it hard to look past him erstwhile considering the astir deserving winner.

Barcelona prima Lamine Yamal is besides successful the premix aft registering 24 goals and 18 assists successful 45 competitory matches past term.

Yamal helped Barcelona clasp their league rubric and the Spanish Supercup earlier featuring successful Spain's triumphant World Cup campaign.

If Mbappe's sheer value of goals gives him the borderline implicit Yamal, it could beryllium to beryllium the decisive origin successful him missing retired to Kane for the fig 1 spot.