Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha has shared his perspective on the upcoming 2026 Ballon d'Or, identifying Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe as standout candidates for the prestigious trophy. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, Vitinha acknowledged the strong cases for both players while noting his personal preference for a colleague from his own club.
Addressing the race for the award, Vitinha stated: "Ballon d’Or? I'd give it to a Parisian, but there are good players like Kane or Mbappé." The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony is scheduled to take place on Monday, October 26, in London, England.
Both Mbappe and Kane have delivered impressive statistical performances that fuel their status as favorites. Kylian Mbappe, during his time with Real Madrid last season, recorded 42 goals and seven assists across 44 matches. He secured the LaLiga Pichichi and the UEFA Champions League Golden Boot, in addition to finishing as the top scorer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 10 goals in eight appearances. Similarly, Harry Kane produced a prolific campaign for Bayern Munich, netting 61 goals and providing seven assists in 51 matches. He also claimed the European Golden Boot and tallied six goals in seven games for England during the World Cup.
Beyond these global stars, Ousmane Dembele is viewed as a strong candidate representing Paris Saint-Germain. Following a successful season where the Parisians claimed the Ligue 1 title, the UEFA Champions League, and the Trophee des Champions, Dembele remains a prominent figure in the conversation. The winger contributed 20 goals and 11 assists in 40 games for Luis Enrique’s side, while also tallying six goals and two assists in eight games during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His trophy haul with PSG provides a significant argument for his candidacy against other top performers.
