Ballon d’Or 2026: ‘I don’t care what he’s won’ – Craig Burley names favourite to award

Former Chelsea midfielder, Craig Burley, has overlooked Real Madrid guardant Kylian Mbappe, alternatively selecting Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane arsenic his preferred campaigner for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Mbappe was awesome for nine and state past season, netting 42 goals crossed each competitions for Los Blancos and scoring 10 times for France during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He emerged arsenic the apical scorer successful LaLiga with 25 goals and successful the UEFA Champions League with 15 goals.

On the different hand, Kane besides enjoyed a singular play for nine and country, scoring a full of 73 goals, which included 7 goals astatine the World Cup, wherever England secured a third-place finish.

Speaking connected Kane’s enactment for the Ballon d’Or, Burley stated connected ESPN UK: “It cannot solely beryllium astir trophies. [Harry Kane has demonstrated] remarkable consistency throughout, and I don’t attraction what helium has won oregon didn’t win. Kane’s wide game, successful summation to his goal-scoring, is genuinely impressive.

“His quality to driblet back, his passing skills, and his finishing are each exceptional. I judge that if helium were to triumph the Ballon d’Or, it would beryllium ...