Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane’s win leaves Kylian Mbappe with more to prove

Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d’Or because he offered the most complete case, according to Diego Vargas, a journalist for Defensa Central. Kylian Mbappe finished second and Lamine Yamal third, with the England captain claiming the award at the London Palladium on Monday evening.

Yamal did, however, win the best young player award for the third consecutive year.

Vargas believes Kane had advantages that neither of his main rivals could match. “Harry Kane possesses what Mbappe did not achieve: collective honours, such as the Bundesliga and German Cup,” he said. “He also has what Lamine Yamal lacked: an impact on his team’s successes.”

The journalist argued that Yamal missed a major opportunity in 2026. The Barcelona player won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, but his limited contribution to Spain’s success at the World Cup weakened his claim.

“If Lamine, the winner of La Liga and the Super Cup with Barcelona, had performed well at the World Cup, he would have won without doubt,” Vargas said. “But his limited contribution to Spain’s triumph had a negative effect on his chances.”

Mbappe, meanwhile, broke the record for goals at a World Cup, but was undermined by his lack of team honours.

“Mbappe had reasons to win the Ballon d’Or, but in the end Harry Kane’s victory was the fairest result,” Vargas added, insisting that neither Mbappe nor Yamal had done enough to settle the contest in their favour.

Mbappe must lead Real Madrid to trophies

Vargas said Mbappe’s second-place finish showed that individual excellence alone was not sufficient. The France forward must also demonstrate that he can influence his side’s collective achievements.

He believes that outcome is particularly positive for Real Madrid and manager Jose Mourinho, who need a “hungrier” version of Mbappe as they seek trophies this season after going two years without winning one.

“For Mourinho and Real Madrid, Mbappe losing the Ballon d’Or is great news,” Vargas said. “If he had won it, it would have been one less source of motivation during this season. Mourinho needs him hungry, and 2027 must be his year.”

He added: “The football world is eager to give this award to Kylian, but he will not receive it as a gift. He must earn it, and he already knows that scoring goals is not enough. He must lead Real Madrid and win trophies, preferably the Champions League. If he succeeds, there will be no doubts in 2027.”

Why Bellingham was not in contention

Vargas also explained why Kane prevailed over Jude Bellingham, despite believing the Real Madrid midfielder was England’s best player at the World Cup in the United States.

“Jude Bellingham’s World Cup was much better than Harry Kane’s, and that is an indisputable fact,” he said. “But Jude faced the same problem as Mbappe: the absence of trophies. In addition, he was far from the contest considering what he produced for Real Madrid throughout last season.”

Bellingham’s current form, however, is a different matter, Vargas said, with his performances improving significantly since the World Cup.

He concluded by calling on Mourinho to build a team capable of producing the next Real Madrid Ballon d’Or winner. “Real Madrid have several players in their squad who can win the award,” Vargas said. “Mourinho must push those players forward and build a frightening team so one of them can claim the Ballon d’Or next year.”