Why Mbappe is my favourite to win 2026 Ballon d’Or –Okocha
Super Eagles legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha has backed Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or award following an impressive year for club and country.
Okocha made the statement in an interview with French publication Le Journal du Dimanche that was published on Monday.
The former Bolton captain admitted that the race to win the award is highly competitive with the likes of Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Michael Olise, and several PSG players, but he is tipping Mbappe to win the award.
Okocha said: “The suspense is more exciting than ever. There are a good half-dozen contenders: Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, the PSG players.
“I think Mbappe deserves it for having been the top scorer in the World Cup (10 goals), the Champions League (15) and the Spanish league (25).”
Okocha also tipped the likes of Manchester City, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich as the leading favourites to win the Champions League this season.
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He said: “Of course. City are still among the main contenders. They spent a lot of money last summer to strengthen their squad (nearly €500 million).
“I also see FC Barcelona, who are having a remarkable start to the season with the Raphinha-Yamal duo, and Bayern Munich, who came very close last season and have managed to keep their starting eleven intact. With another year under their belts, this team will be difficult to beat.”
The 70th Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony will take place on Monday, October 26, 2026, at the London Palladium Theatre in London, England.
This is the first time the ceremony is hosted in the UK, moving away from its traditional home in Paris to honor the award’s very first winner in 1956, England’s Sir Stanley Matthews.
This year’s award covers the period from the 3rd of August 2025 to the 19th of July 2026, which includes the World Cup.
