Ballon d'Or Race: Who Will Claim the Title?

The title of “best player on the planet” usually finds its owner in a World Cup year. Lift the biggest trophy of all and the argument tends to fall into line. This time, Spain’s stars have barged their way to the front of the debate, fresh from ruling the world on North American soil.

Rodri, already crowned Ballon d’Or winner in 2024, has the medals and the authority. Alongside him, the phenomenon that is Lamine Yamal now wears Barcelona colours and carries the swagger of a teenager who already looks comfortable on the game’s grandest stages. Both will feel the award is there to be taken again.

Harry Kane has his own case file. Sixty-one goals for Bayern as they stormed to another Bundesliga title is the kind of output that normally ends arguments. Yet his season came with a familiar sting: no Champions League in 2026, no defining European night to tilt the vote his way.

Paris Saint-Germain did not have that problem. They went back-to-back in the Champions League, a run that keeps Ousmane Dembele in the Golden Ball conversation and opens the door for another Parc des Princes talent to climb to the summit.

Bacary Sagna believes the spotlight should shine in a different direction altogether.

The former Arsenal, Manchester City and France defender, speaking to GOAL in association with BetVictor Online Casino, accepted Kylian Mbappe’s brilliance but pointed to another name when asked who truly deserves the Ballon d’Or.

“For me the best at the minute, he's in the top three,” Sagna said of Mbappe. “He had an amazing year and he is for me one of the best. But being a striker gives more chances to score, so more chances for the people to look at him favourably.”

Then he nailed his colours to a surprising mast.

“For me, Kvara deserves the Ballon d'Or. For me, Kvara [Khvicha Kvaratskhelia] has been phenomenal and being a winger and having such an impact and successful campaign. Apart from winning the Champions League, I think football players will agree that Kvara was the most important player last season.”

That is a bold stance in an era dominated by goalscoring numbers and highlight reels of Mbappe racing away from terrified defences. Sagna still made sure to underline the Real Madrid forward’s status.

“Of course Kylian had an amazing World Cup and I was pleased to see him scoring so many goals, not only because he's French but because I love football and when I see him shining the way he's starting the season, that's his standard, that's his level and he is in the top few players,” he added. “He might be the top, the best player in the world, but the problem is how impactful were you for your team last season?”

That question hangs heavy over Madrid.

For all the fireworks Mbappe has produced since his move to the Bernabeu, the club have now gone two full seasons without a major trophy. The “Galactico” frontman has collected two La Liga Golden Boots and rattled in 90 goals in 106 appearances, yet the cabinet has stayed shut when it comes to the prizes that shape legacies.

Louis Saha can feel the tension building around his compatriot. Asked by GOAL whether Mbappe will ever finally get his hands on the Ballon d’Or, the former France striker did not hide the stakes.

“That's a difficult one, because for sure he wants to win those trophies,” Saha said. “He knows that by winning the Champions League, you have a greater chance to win the Ballon d'Or. He knows that that's the way to put all the qualities in front of the best eyes to be judged.”

The numbers are there. The moments, less so. And that gap is starting to irritate.

“I do understand that the pressure is on because now it's been almost a very controversial way of not being in those finals,” Saha continued. “He left the club that won it and now going to a club which is supposed to be one of the favourites, and they don't reach the finals.”

The narrative has turned uncomfortable. Superstition even creeps in.

“It's starting to question a little bit on the personal side. Let's say on the spiritual side, he seems to be a black cat in a way. So that's the bad line that he wants to rectify as quickly as possible.”

Saha, though, still sees a player destined to complete the set.

“It's always nice to see someone succeed and reach their goals when they have the potential. I think he deserves it. Regardless of people criticising his style of play, he wants to have everything.

“Every situation needs to be about him and that's the proof of greats. But sometimes if things don’t work out, it's easy to criticise. If Cristiano couldn't convert all these trophies that he had over the years, he would have been doomed a long time ago.”

So the race for the next Ballon d’Or feels unusually crowded. World champions from Spain, a record-breaking Bayern No.9, a Champions League-winning PSG dressing room, Kvaratskhelia’s purist-pleasing influence, and Mbappe’s relentless chase for the one individual prize that keeps slipping away.

At some point, the votes will ignore the noise and follow the medals. The question is whether Mbappe can finally drag his teams to those decisive nights, or whether this era’s ultimate individual honour will belong to someone who made their season count when it mattered most.