Kylian Mbappé praised Harry Kane before the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London. The French forward acknowledged Kane’s quality when asked about his chances of winning the award. Kane ultimately claimed the men’s trophy on October 26, 2026.
The final rankings placed Mbappé second and Lamine Yamal third. Kane’s season included 73 goals for Bayern Munich and England across 65 appearances. His scoring record, team achievements and consistent performances helped him secure one of soccer’s most prominent individual honors.
Mbappé praised Kane before the ceremony
Before the ceremony, Mbappé was asked about the possibility of Kane winning the Ballon d’Or ahead of him. The Real Madrid forward responded, “He deserves it; he’s a great player.” He also described Kane as one of the great players people had come to see.
The comments came as speculation about the winner intensified before the official announcement. Both forwards had delivered strong seasons and appeared among the leading candidates. Mbappé’s response acknowledged Kane’s achievements without dismissing his own chances of winning.
The exchange took place on the red carpet before the results were announced. At that point, the final ranking had not been officially confirmed. Kane’s eventual victory gave Mbappé’s comments additional significance, as his praise for the England captain preceded the official result.
Kane’s scoring record strengthened his candidacy
Kane scored 73 goals across club and international football during the 2025–26 campaign. He played 65 games for Bayern Munich and England, recording 61 goals for his club and 12 for his country. Those figures placed his scoring output at the center of his award case.
His contribution extended beyond his total goals. Kane remained Bayern’s leading attacking figure while continuing to represent England in major international competition. His ability to finish chances consistently made him a central part of both teams’ attacking plans.
Kane also finished as the Bundesliga’s leading scorer for the third consecutive season. He scored 14 goals in the UEFA Champions League as Bayern reached the semifinals. These achievements added to the evidence behind his successful Ballon d’Or campaign.
Bayern’s trophies supported Kane’s award case
Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga and German Cup during the 2025–26 season. The club also secured the German Super Cup, completing a domestic treble. Those trophies gave Kane major team honors to accompany his individual scoring achievements.
Kane’s goals helped Bayern maintain a productive attack throughout the campaign. His finishing ability made him a reliable option inside the penalty area, while his movement helped create opportunities during attacking sequences. His role was central to the club’s success.
Winning several domestic trophies strengthened Bayern’s season and added context to Kane’s individual recognition. The Ballon d’Or considers individual performances alongside team achievements and sporting conduct. Kane’s combination of goals and trophies helped distinguish his campaign from those of other contenders.
Mbappé finished second in the final rankings
Kylian Mbappé finished second in the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or voting, behind Kane. The Real Madrid forward remained among the season’s leading players despite missing out on the top position. His final ranking placed him ahead of every candidate except Kane.
The French international is known for his pace, movement and finishing. He can play from wide attacking positions or operate through the middle as a forward. Those qualities allow him to threaten defenders in different ways and contribute across several attacking roles.
Second place added another major individual result to Mbappé’s career. It did not diminish his achievements during the season or remove him from future award discussions. Instead, the final ranking showed that voters placed Kane’s campaign ahead of his own.
Kane joined England’s historic Ballon d’Or winners
Kane became the fifth Englishman to win the men’s Ballon d’Or. Previous English winners were Stanley Matthews in 1956, Bobby Charlton in 1966, Kevin Keegan in 1978 and 1979, and Michael Owen in 2001. Kane ended England’s 25-year wait for another winner.
His career included loan spells before he established himself as a leading scorer at Tottenham Hotspur. Kane moved to Bayern Munich in 2023 and continued producing goals in Germany. His 2025–26 season became a defining achievement in a career built on consistent scoring.
Kane also received the Men’s Striker of the Year award at the ceremony. The additional honor recognized his goal-scoring output during the campaign. Together, the awards marked a major milestone for the England captain and Bayern forward.
Fun fact: Harry Kane won Millwall’s Young Player of the Year award during his loan spell with the club in the 2011–12 season.
The ceremony settled the season’s award debate
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony took place at the London Palladium on October 26. It marked the award’s 70th edition and was held outside Paris for the first time. Kane was announced as the men’s winner during the event.
The final men’s top three consisted of Kane, Mbappé and Yamal. Kane took first place, followed by Mbappé in second and Yamal in third. The results ended the speculation surrounding the leading candidates before the ceremony.
The event also recognized achievements across other areas of men’s and women’s soccer. Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or, while Yamal received the Men’s Young Talent of the Year award. Kane’s victory was the headline result among the men’s honors.
What the result means for both forwards
Kane’s victory gave him the highest individual honor of his career. It followed a season in which he combined a remarkable goal total with domestic trophies for Bayern Munich. The result also recognized his contribution to England during international competition.
Mbappé remained one of the world’s leading forwards after finishing second. His scoring ability and attacking versatility continue to make him a major figure at Real Madrid and for France. A future Ballon d’Or campaign will depend on his performances and achievements in subsequent seasons.
Yamal’s third-place finish showed that the final contest included players at different stages of their careers. The Barcelona forward competed with two established international stars for the award. The ranking placed all three among the leading names in the 2026 men’s vote.
The award race now turns toward next season
Kane’s win will be part of the discussion around future Ballon d’Or candidates. Players will again be evaluated on their individual performances, contributions to team success and conduct on the field. Kane’s 2025–26 campaign provides a recent example of a winning season.
Mbappé’s comments also highlighted his recognition of Kane’s ability before the result was known. Both players competed for the same award, but Mbappé openly praised his rival. The exchange remained consistent with the final outcome announced in London.
The 2026 race is now complete, with Kane taking the top position and Mbappé finishing second. Their performances helped define the season’s individual award discussion. Attention will now shift to the next campaign and the players who emerge as leading contenders.
TL;DR
- Kylian Mbappé said Harry Kane deserved the Ballon d’Or before the ceremony.
- Kane scored 73 goals in 65 appearances for Bayern Munich and England during 2025–26.
- Bayern won the Bundesliga, German Cup and German Super Cup.
- Kane won the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or on October 26, with Mbappé second and Lamine Yamal third.
- Kane became the fifth Englishman to win the award and the first since Michael Owen in 2001.
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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