Mbappe leads 2026 Ballon d’Or race as Yamal misses top three, Kvaratskhelia and Kane follow
Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe is leading the 2026 Ballon d’Or race according to a poll published by French sports newspaper L’Équipe and reported by beIN Sports on October 13, 2026. The survey shows Mbappe with strong support after another impressive season, placing him ahead of rivals ahead of the official award ceremony in London on October 26.
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who had been regarded as a leading contender, surprisingly falls outside the top three in this poll. Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia occupies second place and England captain Harry Kane is third. The poll does not determine the final winner but indicates current voter sentiment.
For Nigerian football fans who follow global awards, Mbappe’s lead reinforces his status as a top player, while Yamal’s absence highlights the competitiveness and unpredictability of the race. The ceremony will decide whether Mbappe converts this polling advantage into his first Ballon d’Or.
Will you back Mbappe’s bid for the award, or do you hope to see an African player break into the top tier of future Ballon d’Or races?