Lamine Yamal leads Kylian Mbappe in Marca’s 2026 Ballon d’Or poll

Lamine Yamal has moved ahead of Kylian Mbappe in a poll asking readers to choose the leading candidate for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, according to Madrid-based newspaper Marca.

The Barcelona forward had received 15,516 votes, representing 37% of the total, while Real Madrid striker Mbappe had 11,455 votes, or 27%. A further 14,795 readers, 36%, selected the option for “another player”.

Yamal therefore held a 10-percentage-point advantage over Mbappe. The result is particularly notable because the poll was conducted by a newspaper with a predominantly Madrid-based readership.

Marca gave its readers three choices: Yamal, Mbappe or another player. The voting outcome has added another dimension to the growing debate over which of the two forwards deserves the individual award.

Mbappe has made clear that he believes his performances this season merit recognition. The Real Madrid player recently said: “I have a feeling that this is a good year to win the Ballon d’Or.”

That comment reflected the France international’s confidence in his prospects after what the article described as an outstanding individual season.

Yamal has also publicly put forward his own case for the prize. The Barcelona player said: “I think that this year I deserve it because of what I have won.”

The two players’ claims are based on different strengths. Yamal can point to his team’s achievements during the season, while Mbappe’s case rests more heavily on his personal statistics.

That contrast has made the comparison between the Barcelona and Real Madrid forwards a major part of the discussion ahead of the announcement of the winner.

The award has not yet been decided, but the poll provides an early indication of the balance of opinion among Marca readers. With 37% backing Yamal and 27% choosing Mbappe, the contest between the two players has intensified before the final decision.