According to a report by ESPN on Monday, November 9, 2026, legendary French football figure Zinedine Zidane has shared his opinion on the 2026 Ballon d’Or outcome, insisting that Kylian Mbappe was more deserving of the prestigious award than its eventual winner, Harry Kane.

The former Real Madrid manager believes Mbappe's outstanding displays throughout the 2025/26 season should have earned him the biggest individual recognition in football. However, the French forward had to settle for second place after Kane received the most votes.

Mbappe enjoyed another productive season, establishing himself as one of the most influential attacking players in European football. His performances for Real Madrid were particularly impressive, as he found the back of the net 42 times in all competitions.

The French international also secured the Pichichi Trophy, an individual honour presented to the highest goalscorer in the Spanish La Liga. His consistency in front of goal made him one of the leading contenders for the Ballon d’Or.

His contribution was equally significant when representing France at the 2026 World Cup. Mbappe finished the tournament as the competition's top scorer and helped his country reach the semi-final stage.

France, however, failed to progress to the final after losing to Spain, who eventually emerged as world champions. Despite the disappointment, Mbappe's individual contribution remained one of the major talking points of the tournament.

During an appearance on Telefoot, Zidane acknowledged that choosing a Ballon d’Or winner is never straightforward because different players produce exceptional performances in different competitions. Nevertheless, he made it clear that Mbappe deserved to be recognised above Kane.

One factor that reportedly affected Mbappe's chances was Real Madrid's inability to secure a major trophy during the campaign. Kane, on the other hand, enjoyed a successful season that helped him secure the award ahead of the Frenchman.

Mbappe has not allowed the disappointment to affect his performances in the new season. He has already scored 17 goals in 16 competitive matches for Real Madrid, maintaining the remarkable form that has made him one of the most feared forwards in the game.

Zidane has also previously expressed his belief that Mbappe should be allowed to operate in the attacking position where he feels most comfortable. According to the former midfielder, giving the forward sufficient freedom could help him produce even better performances.

His latest assessment has added another dimension to the discussion surrounding the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Although Kane ultimately received the award, Zidane believes Mbappe's individual achievements across domestic and international competitions made him a worthy winner.

The debate is likely to continue among football supporters, particularly considering the Frenchman's impressive goalscoring numbers and his influence during the World Cup.