Sonny Anderson predicts Mbappé to win 2026 Ballon d'Or ahead of Yamal and Kane
Former Brazil striker Sonny Anderson has named his 2026 Ballon d'Or podium ahead of Monday's ceremony in London, tipping Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé for the top prize. Anderson told Téléfoot that Mbappé deserves first place after winning the Golden Boot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and finishing as top scorer in both the Champions League and LaLiga last season.
His predicted runner-up is Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, whose dribbling and passing Anderson says "makes me dream." Third place goes to Bayern Munich's Harry Kane for his prolific scoring in Germany and with England.
The actual winner will be announced at tonight's ceremony in London. Mbappé enters as favourite after a historic season where he led France to World Cup glory and dominated European club competitions. Yamal, at just 18, would become the youngest-ever Ballon d'Or runner-up if Anderson's prediction holds. Kane seeks his first Ballon d'Or after consistent elite output across club and country.
For Nigerian football fans tracking the global game's biggest individual honour, this gives you the expert consensus heading into the reveal. Mbappé's World Cup heroics make him the logical choice, but Yamal's breakthrough season adds intrigue. Who gets your vote?