Super Eagles legend Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha has backed Kylian Mbappé to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, believing the Real Madrid ahead has accomplished sufficient to earn soccer’s largest particular person prize.
Okocha admits that this yr’s race is extra thrilling than ever, with Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and several other Paris Saint-Germain gamers additionally in competition. However, the previous Nigerian worldwide believes Mbappé’s goal-scoring report provides him a powerful case for the award.
Despite acknowledging the sturdy competitors, the previous Paris Saint-Germain playmaker made his choice clear, pointing to Mbappé’s scoring achievements in three main competitions.
“I think Mbappé deserves it for having been the top scorer in the World Cup (10 goals), the Champions League (15) and the Spanish league (25),” he added.
Kane, nonetheless, has additionally loved an impressive season. The England captain scored 73 targets for Bayern Munich and the nationwide workforce in the course of the 2025–26 marketing campaign, strengthening his place among the many main candidates for the award.
The debate is subsequently about greater than selecting between two prolific strikers. While Mbappé’s numbers throughout main competitions have impressed Okocha, Kane’s exceptional objective return has additionally given him a powerful argument.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for October 26 in London, the place the winner might be introduced.
With a number of gamers making convincing circumstances, the ultimate determination guarantees to draw loads of consideration from soccer followers.
For Okocha, although, Mbappé has already accomplished sufficient to face out from the competitors.
