Can Kane buck history and win Ballon d'Or?
History suggests Ballon d’Or winners come from those who have recently lifted one of football's biggest trophies. Can Harry Kane become a rare exception?
Kylian Mbappe expresses confidence in his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or, despite acknowledging that voters may favor other players. The French forward scored an impressive 10 goals during the 2026 World Cup, setting the all-time record for the tournament's top scorer. Additionally, he was the leading scorer in La Liga, contributing 25 goals for Real Madrid.
However, Mbappe recognizes that France's fourth-place finish in the World Cup and Real Madrid's failure to win major trophies might lead some voters to consider other candidates.
Mbappe highlights that playing for Real Madrid, considered the best club in the world, often associates him with awards and accolades. He acknowledges that many people, including casual fans, bring up the Ballon d'Or when they encounter him in public. While acknowledging the significance of this prestigious award, Mbappe emphasizes that the final decision rests with the journalists who cast their votes.
Among the favorites to win the Ballon d'Or this year, alongside Mbappe, are Harry Kane (PSG), Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona), and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG). The trophy, awarded by an international panel of journalists, was last year's prize for PSG's Ousmane Dembélé, who finished in seventh place behind Mbappe. Mbappe's best-ever finish was third at the event in 2023.
Even a teammate of Mbappe's at Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham, has suggested that the 2026 Ballon d'Or race could have multiple deserving candidates, with the manager, Jose Mourinho, expressing his belief that Mbappe's goal-scoring record this summer is virtually unbeatable.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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