"Olise is my Favorite, but Mbappé deserves it": Thierry Henry breaks down the Ballon d'Or race

Former Arsenal and Barcelona forward Thierry Henry has named Kylian Mbappé as his leading candidate to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or, placing him narrowly ahead of Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise.

Read Also: From 4th to forgotten: How a difficult Liverpool farewell cost Salah his Ballon d'Or spot

A closer race than 2025

Speaking in an interview with Spanish sports daily Mundo Deportivo, Henry explained that selecting this year’s recipient will be far more complicated than the previous edition which was won by Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé.

"I think deciding the winner this year will not be as easy as last year.. Last year, I felt Dembélé would win the award easily, perhaps because no other player delivered such a consistent or brilliant performance across every competition" Henry said.

Assessing the global contenders

Henry evaluated several prominent contenders on the 30 man shortlist, weighing their club campaigns against their performances at the World Cup 2026. While acknowledging Harry Kane's prolific year, Henry argued that Olise was the standout performer both in the Bundesliga and on the international stage in North America.

Addressing other high-profile candidates, Henry highlighted contrasting fortunes:

"Many English fans think Jude Bellingham was the best, although he did not deliver that same level of performance with Real Madrid.. There is also Rodri, who was undoubtedly amazing at the World Cup but he suffered from inconsistent form throughout the season. Similarly, Lamine Yamal won La Liga but he did not perform well at the World Cup, though it must be remembered he played the tournament carrying an injury" Henry observed.

Henry also noted Erling Haaland’s impressive goal tally and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s club form while reflecting on Lionel Messi:

"It was almost certain that Messi would have won the Ballon d'Or had he managed to win back-to-back World Cups but he lost in the final"

Why Mbappé leads the field

Despite holding high praise for Olise's breakout season, Henry believes Mbappé's historic individual numbers set him apart, even in the absence of major team trophies.

"Olise is almost my favourite, but I believe Mbappé deserves it.. Some point out that he didn't win any titles but throughout football history, players have won the Ballon d'Or without collecting team trophies. Anyone can look for flaws if they want to but the fact is that Mbappé was the top scorer in the Champions League, La Liga and the World Cup, just as Olise was the top assist provider. It is truly remarkable when you think about it" Henry stated.

Concluding his evaluation, Henry affirmed:

"There are several contenders capable of claiming the award but for me, Mbappé is the primary candidate, with Olise just behind him"

Khaled Hegazy |

Editorar, en

Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

Related teams and leagues

France

Real Madrid