Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has identified Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise as his leading contenders for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with the Frenchman placing Mbappe ahead of his international teammate.
Henry made his assessment during an appearance on CBS Sports Golazo following the announcement of the 30-man shortlist for this year’s prestigious individual award. He acknowledged that the race is more difficult to predict than last year but ultimately backed Mbappe as his preferred winner.
“Michael Olise is very close to my favourite, which is Kylian Mbappe,” Henry said, highlighting the Bayern Munich winger’s impressive campaign and creative contribution.
Henry’s strongest argument for Mbappe centres on the Real Madrid forward’s individual statistics. He pointed out that Mbappe finished as the leading scorer in the Champions League, La Liga and the 2026 World Cup.
“Look at what he achieved individually: top scorer in the Champions League, La Liga and the World Cup,” Henry said.
The former France striker acknowledged that Mbappe’s lack of major team trophies could count against him. However, he argued that Ballon d’Or winners have previously claimed the award without winning major silverware during the relevant season.
Henry also singled out Olise, saying he was “very close” to Mbappe and praising the Bayern player’s contribution in terms of assists.
The debate is significant because the 2026 Ballon d’Or race features several high-profile candidates, including Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi. Kane, in particular, has emerged as a major contender after a prolific season with Bayern Munich.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or winner will be announced on October 26 in London. The ceremony will mark the award’s 70th anniversary, adding further significance to this year’s competition.
