Ballon d’Or 2026: ‘He’s one of them’ – What Mbappé said about Harry Kane after England star won award

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has reacted to his second-place finish in the 2026 Ballon d’Or, which was won by England captain Harry Kane.

Mbappé secured the runner-up position, marking his highest finish in the prestigious individual award. Barcelona and Spain youngster Lamine Yamal finished third in the final rankings.

The French forward enjoyed an impressive season, scoring 25 goals to top LaLiga’s scoring charts and netting 15 times in the UEFA Champions League. He also scored 10 goals at the 2026 World Cup, taking his tournament tally to 22 and becoming the competition’s all-time leading scorer.

Despite his individual achievements, Real Madrid ended the season without winning a major trophy, while France also failed to lift the World Cup. Kane’s performances and achievements ultimately earned him the Ballon d’Or ahead of Mbappé.

Speaking to Athlon Sports, Mbappé praised the Bayern Munich striker and acknowledged his achievements. “He deserves it; he’s a great player. People came to see great players, and he’s one of them,” the Frenchman said.

Mbappé had previously revealed that he did not prepare an acceptance speech before the ceremony because he believed that “such preparation invites misfortune”. When Kane was announced as the winner, Mbappé was among the first players to congratulate him before the England captain went on stage.

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The Real Madrid forward attended the ceremony after an impressive performance in his team’s El Clásico victory over Barcelona at Camp Nou, where he scored twice to help secure a 2-1 win.