Mbappé or Yamal? Spain crowns its 2026 Ballon d'Or winner | OneFootball

Mbappé or Yamal? Spain has already made its choice for the 2026 Ballon d'Or

Mbappé or Yamal? Spain crowns its 2026 Ballon d'Or winner

Kylian Mbappé has taken Madrid to a whole new level. Stringing together outstanding performances since the start of the season, the French striker is racking up goals and records with impressive consistency. His latest masterclass—a hat-trick against Kairat—has further cemented his status as the undisputed leader of Madrid's attack. Already involved in 13 of his team's 23 goals, he alone embodies the efficiency and technical superiority of Xabi Alonso's Real. Versatile, able to both finish and press high, Mbappé is now much more than just a clinical finisher: he is the offensive heartbeat of Los Blancos.

The numbers speak for themselves. With 15 goals in 11 matches since August, across all competitions, including two for Les Bleus, the Bondy native is enjoying the best start to a season of his career. It's no surprise, then, that the Spanish press is buzzing. Tomas Roncero, a prominent figure at Madrid daily AS, has already named him his 2026 Ballon d'Or winner. This stance perfectly illustrates the level of excitement Mbappé is generating across the Pyrenees.

Buoyed by this media momentum and his growing influence on his team's play, the French national team captain stands out as the clear favorite for the next Ballon d'Or. Spain, thoroughly won over, has already crowned its king. The only question that remains is whether the rest of Europe will follow suit.