Sagna Backs Mbappé For 2026 Ballon D’Or As Leboeuf Questions Voting Rules

According to Ireporter Online, former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has expressed confidence that Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe is poised to win this year’s Ballon d’Or, citing the Frenchman’s exceptional form as putting him ahead of all rivals.

Sagna praised Mbappe’s performances this season, suggesting that only a disappointing FIFA World Cup showing could prevent him from claiming football’s most prestigious individual accolade. “He will win it. I believe this is the right time for him to win it this year. I believe the World Cup will be a great event with the French national team participating,” Sagna said. He added, “I believe he will do well in the Champions League with Real Madrid. On a personal level, he is already in a good position because he is performing well and leading in terms of form. Unless he has a really bad World Cup, which I don’t think will happen, I believe he will win the Ballon d’Or this year.”

Mbappe has had a remarkable campaign, scoring 38 goals across club and country, including 11 goals in the UEFA Champions League, just one shy of Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for most goals in a group stage.

However, France legend Frank Leboeuf offered a more measured view, questioning whether the Ballon d’Or truly reflects the world’s best player. While acknowledging Mbappe’s quality, Leboeuf suggested the award tends to favour players from title-winning teams rather than purely individual standouts. “I don’t like the Ballon d’Or, because for me it doesn’t mean anything. It’s not necessarily the best player,” Leboeuf said. “Nowadays, the main players are those winning trophies. It’s going to be hard for Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. They have to really go for it because next season or the season after, it may be done.”

Mbappe finished seventh in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings, slightly below his 2024 position, with his best finish coming in 2023, when he placed third behind Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland.