Kylian Mbappe & Lamine Yamal favourites for 2026 Ballon d'Or: Report

Ousmane Dembele won the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

The Ballon d’Or 2025 winner was confirmed yesterday, despite many fans being caught by surprise this time, unlike last year, when the winner was already leaked before the ceremony.

Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal were in a close battle for the award, but it was Dembele who was announced as the winner. For 18-year-old Yamal, finishing second was a proud moment for a player of such tender age.

Yamal and Mbappe touted as favourites for 2026 Ballon d’Or

Meanwhile, reports from Diario AS reveal that Yamal and Kylian Mbappe have emerged as the frontrunners to win the award next year.

It is too soon to predict the winner for the next year, but the way Mbappe has started the new season will firmly place him in the debate for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. The forward has already scored seven goals in all competitions.

Mbappe’s goalscoring exploits have been fascinating to watch. In his first season, the forward scored so many goals, and he has continued in the same form this campaign as well. However, goals alone may not be enough, as the Frenchman will need to deliver trophies for the club.

In the previous campaign, he failed to win any trophy, which hurted his chances of winning the award this year. Meanwhile, Yamal also started the new campaign on a strong note, but an injury has impeded his impressive run of games.

But he will be hoping to be back with more determination. In 2025, his only downside was a modest goal tally, despite winning trophies with the club and playing a starring role in their Champions League semi-final clash, despite the defeat.

Not only Mbappe and Yamal, but many stars will be hoping to mount their own challenge for the award next year, as the competition has become more open since Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo left Europe.

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