Papin comments on 2026 Ballon d'Or

Jean-Pierre Papin, who won the Ballon d'Or in 1991, shared his thoughts on the 2026 award during an interview with France Télévisions. The award, which will be given on October 26, has already received its final votes.

Papin excludes Mbappé from consideration

Papin stated he would not select Kylian Mbappé for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, expressing concerns about the player’s communication style. He felt this aspect might affect his overall evaluation of Mbappé's performance.

Papin favors Kane for the award

Instead of Mbappé, Papin expressed a preference for Harry Kane as the potential winner of the 2026 Ballon d'Or. He believes Kane’s contributions to his team and his overall performance make him a strong candidate.

Ballon d'Or final votes are set

The final votes for the 2026 Ballon d'Or have already been finalized, meaning the winner will be announced on October 26. The selection process involves a panel of journalists and other football experts from around the world.