Kylian Mbappé has responded graciously after finishing second to Harry Kane in the 2026 Ballon d’Or, despite a season in which the Real Madrid striker delivered standout scoring numbers for club and country.
- Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with Mbappé taking the runner-up spot — his best-ever finish in the individual award — and Barcelona and Spain forward Lamine Yamal placing third.
- Mbappé ended the previous La Liga campaign as the division’s leading scorer after netting 25 times. He also scored 15 goals in the Champions League and added 10 at the 2026 World Cup.
- His World Cup tally made him the competition’s record goalscorer, taking his career total at the tournament to 22.
- Those individual achievements did not translate into major silverware, however. Real Madrid ended the season without a major trophy, while France failed to win the World Cup.
- Speaking to Athlon Sports, Mbappé said Kane was a deserving winner: “He deserves it; he’s a great player. People came to see great players, and he’s one of them.”
- Mbappé had chosen not to prepare a victory speech before the event, saying that making such plans beforehand “invites misfortune.”
- When Kane was named winner, Mbappé was among the first players to congratulate him before the England striker went on stage to collect the prize.
Strong form before the ceremony
The Real Madrid forward arrived at the Ballon d’Or event after a decisive performance in El Clasico, scoring twice in Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Barcelona at Camp Nou.
