Ballon d'Or 2026 odds and predictions
The 2026 Ballon d'Or race is heating up, with Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal emerging as top contenders despite varying team successes. While Mbappe boasts strong individual stats, Yamal's trophy haul with Barcelona and Spain makes him a compelling, albeit drifting, favorite among bettors.
Why it matters
The Ballon d'Or is the most prestigious individual award in professional football, influencing player market value and legacy.
Punters have been piling on Mbappe but he will need to buck a recent trend having failed to win a trophy with either Real Madrid or France in the 2025-26 season.
That was the case for Cristiano Ronaldo when taking the Ballon d'Or in 2013, but generally the accolade goes to a player who has excelled in a winning team.
Mbappe has long looked destined to win it but he has been unable to better the third place he achieved in 2023 after winning the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup.
The Frenchman will point to his individual achievements – he was top goalscorer in La Liga and the Champions League last season before scoring ten goals at this year's World Cup to become the first player to win multiple Golden Boots.
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