2026 Ballon d’Or: After Missing Out, Mbappé Accused of Trying to Force His Win

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d’Or ahead of Kylian Mbappé, who finished second, at the ceremony held on October 26 at the London Palladium. Kane scored 73 goals for club and country during the 2025-26 season, becoming the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001. On Canal+, journalist Bertrand Latour criticized Mbappé for allegedly trying too hard to influence voters, including by saying Africa was important to him. Latour urged him to win matches and trophies instead of pressuring people for the award.