According to a report by Daily Post on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has congratulated Harry Kane following the Bayern Munich striker’s reported victory at the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards, describing the England captain as a great player who deserves the recognition.

Mbappé finished second in the prestigious individual award, recording his highest position in the rankings, while Barcelona and Spain youngster Lamine Yamal came third.

Despite missing out on the trophy, the French international acknowledged Kane’s achievement and praised his quality following the announcement of the winner.

Speaking to Athlon Sports after the ceremony, Mbappé said: “He deserves it; he’s a great player. People came to see great players, and he’s one of them.”

The comments came after a closely contested race between Kane and Mbappé, with both forwards attracting considerable attention for their performances during the season.

Vincent Garcia, editor of France Football, which oversees the Ballon d’Or, reportedly disclosed that the difference between the two leading contenders was exceptionally narrow.

According to Garcia, the margin was smaller than the 41-point gap that separated Rodri and Vinícius Júnior in the 2024 edition of the award.

Mbappé had reportedly led the race for a significant period before Kane strengthened his position towards the end of the voting process.

Following the announcement, Mbappé was among the first players to congratulate the Bayern Munich striker before Kane proceeded to the stage to receive the honour.

The Real Madrid forward entered the ceremony after another productive campaign, during which he delivered impressive goalscoring performances in domestic and European competitions.

Mbappé reportedly finished as La Liga's leading scorer with 25 goals and topped the UEFA Champions League scoring charts with 15 goals.

He also recorded 10 goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to reports surrounding the award.

Despite his individual achievements, Mbappé's campaign was overshadowed by Real Madrid's failure to secure major trophies, while France also fell short of winning the World Cup.

The absence of major silverware may have influenced the overall assessment of his season, although the precise factors behind the voting decisions will become clearer when the complete results are available.

Before the ceremony, Mbappé had also revealed that he had not prepared an acceptance speech, explaining that he believed making such preparations in advance could invite misfortune.

His decision reflected the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the contest, particularly given the strength of the competition.

Kane's reported victory represents a significant milestone for the 33-year-old striker, who has established himself as one of Europe's most prolific forwards.

The England captain reportedly scored 73 goals in 65 appearances for Bayern Munich and the national team during the campaign, helping the German club secure both the Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal.

His consistent goalscoring performances and contribution to Bayern's domestic success strengthened his position in the race for football's most prestigious individual honour.

Kane's triumph also makes him the first English player to win the men's Ballon d'Or since Michael Owen claimed the award in 2001.