Omanghana
Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry has named Kylian Mbappé as his preferred candidate to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise placed closely behind the Real Madrid forward.
Speaking on CBS Sports, Henry said the award should recognise individual excellence, particularly in a year when several leading contenders enjoyed impressive campaigns but achieved different levels of success with their teams.
Henry acknowledged the debate surrounding Mbappé’s record of collective trophies but argued that the France captain’s goalscoring achievements made him the strongest candidate for the prestigious individual award.
Mbappé finished as the leading scorer in the UEFA Champions League, La Liga and the FIFA World Cup. He scored 25 goals in the Spanish top flight and maintained his influence across club and international competitions.
For Henry, that level of individual dominance should carry significant weight when journalists vote for the winner. He suggested that performances and personal contributions should not be overshadowed by a heavy emphasis on the trophies won by a player’s team.
Olise was Henry’s second choice following an outstanding domestic campaign with Bayern Munich. The France international registered 15 goals and 21 assists in domestic competitions, establishing himself as one of the German club’s most influential attacking players.
Henry described Olise as the best player in Germany during the previous season, placing him ahead of several established Bundesliga stars.
The former France striker also discussed Bayern teammate Harry Kane, who is considered one of the leading candidates following another prolific campaign. Although Henry recognized Kane’s goalscoring impact and strong reputation in Germany, he maintained that Olise produced the better overall domestic season.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri also received praise for his performances at the World Cup. However, Henry suggested that the amount of playing time the midfielder missed earlier in the club season could work against him in the final voting.
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia were identified as other elite candidates. Henry noted, however, that injuries before the international tournament and the absence of some contenders from the World Cup could influence how their seasons are assessed.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or race is expected to generate considerable debate because of the different achievements of the leading candidates. Some enjoyed exceptional club campaigns, while others strengthened their claims through influential performances at the World Cup.
Henry’s assessment places Mbappé’s individual statistics at the center of the discussion. Despite the importance traditionally attached to major team honors, the former Arsenal forward believes Mbappé’s goals and consistency across major competitions make him the most deserving candidate.
Source: Omanghana
