The Ballon d’Or 2026 will be awarded on October 26 in London, with 30 players still in contention for the prestigious individual award. The Ballon d’Or is one of the most respected honors in world football, recognizing the best player of the year. Kylian Mbappé, the French forward, sees himself as a strong contender for this edition and has gained support from influential figures in the sport. Thomas Müller, a former German international and now a well-known analyst, has named Mbappé and Michael Olise as his top favorites in his newsletter. Müller praised both players for their individual performances, highlighting their ability to combine spectacular play with goal-scoring and effectiveness through both finesse and power, while appearing to do so effortlessly. Müller is not the first prominent figure to express a preference for the two French players. Thierry Henry, the 1998 World Cup champion, also placed Mbappé and Olise among his favorites during an interview on RMC in Rothen s’enflamme. Henry gave a slight advantage to Mbappé, stating that he believes Kylian can win the award. He also noted that Olise has won numerous accolades, including being the best passer in the World Cup, Bundesliga, and the Champions League. Henry suggested that while Mbappé excels in goal-scoring, Olise excels in passing. The final decision will be announced in 21 days, with the winner of the Ballon d’Or 2026 to be revealed on October 26 in London. The award ceremony will be a significant event in the football calendar, drawing attention from fans and analysts around the world.