Overview
- This week Kylian Mbappé doubled down on his claim to the 2026 Ballon d'Or in an extended AS interview, saying the prize “must return to the Bernabéu” and praising Lamine Yamal as a talented rival.
- Lamine Yamal used a Movistar interview to criticise how the Ballon d'Or is judged and to argue his World Cup and La Liga wins strengthen his case, and he has received visible backing from Barcelona coach Hansi Flick, president Joan Laporta and team-mates including Raphinha.
- Analysts and bookmakers point to Harry Kane as a quieter but powerful contender because of his extraordinary goal haul last season, with Bayern Munich publicly promoting his statistical case.
- Opinion writers and commentators have criticised the overt self-promotion by players and clubs, saying visible lobbying risks shifting focus from retrospective merit to publicity during the voting window.
- Voters are national journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries who will decide on Oct. 26, and their choice will hinge on how they balance major trophies, World Cup performances and individual statistics in the final weeks before ballots close.