France Football chief reveals how close Mbappe came to beating Kane to the Ballon d'Or

Harry Kane edged Kylian Mbappe to the 2026 Ballon d'Or by fewer than 41 points, according to France Football editor-in-chief Vincent Garcia. Garcia revealed just how tight the race was for football's most prestigious individual award in London yesterday.

The Bayern Munich striker was crowned the world's best player after an outstanding 2025/26 campaign, finishing ahead of Real Madrid forward Mbappe. The Frenchman had to settle for second place despite coming agonisingly close to claiming the prize.

Speaking to French publication L'Equipe, Garcia disclosed the narrow margin separating the two forwards, as journalists decided the destination of the Golden Ball. The Ballon d'Or is awarded following votes from 100 journalists representing the top 100 nations in FIFA's world rankings.

Each voter selects their 10 best players of the season, with 15 points for their first choice and one point for their 10th-ranked selection. The final difference between Kane and Mbappe was fewer than 41 points, the gap between Vinicius Junior and eventual winner Rodri in 2024.

Mbappe finished as the top scorer of the 2025/26 La Liga season, the Champions League campaign, and the 2026 World Cup, but didn't manage to secure a trophy. Kane, who scored more and had the accolades to back up his numbers, eventually clinched the prize despite the excessive campaigning by Mbappe and Lamine Yamal.

Garcia also offered a surprising explanation for why the Barcelona teenager finished third. According to the France Football chief, votes recognising Spain's World Cup triumph were divided between Yamal and Rodri, who finished fourth in the final standings.

That split in support may have kept the Barcelona youngster from climbing higher. However, Yamal also made history by winning the Best Young Talent award for the third consecutive year, but he suggested that the award should have gone to Pau Cubarsi instead.