Kylian Mbappé wins Onze d'Or ahead of Ballon d'Or race

Kylian Mbappé has won the 2026 Onze d'Or award, as voted by the readers of the French magazine Onze Mondial. The Real Madrid forward secured 48.2% of the votes, surpassing Paris Saint-Germain players João Neves (11.9%) and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (10.8%). This recognition follows a prolific season where Mbappé scored over 40 goals and became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.

As the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony in London approaches, the race for the top individual prize remains highly competitive. While Mbappé's Onze d'Or win provides momentum, betting markets and some journalists suggest Harry Kane may have the advantage for the Ballon d'Or. Kane, playing for Bayern Munich, recorded 61 goals in 51 games and won the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal, and the European Golden Shoe.

Other major contenders for the Ballon d'Or include Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, whose World Cup victory with Spain has bolstered his candidacy, and Rodri. Analysts note that while Mbappé has exceptional individual statistics, the voting for the Ballon d'Or often weighs collective trophies and major tournament success heavily, creating a split in favor between Kane's domestic dominance and Yamal's international achievements.