Didier Drogba questions Harry Kane’s 2026 Ballon d’Or victory

Didier Drogba has questioned whether Harry Kane deserved to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, arguing that Kylian Mbappe had a strong case for claiming the award.

The former Cote d’Ivoire international gave his assessment several weeks after Kane was crowned the winner of the prestigious individual prize. Mbappe, who plays for Real Madrid, finished second in the voting, just 28 points behind the England striker.

The narrow margin has kept the debate over the result alive. Drogba said the quality of Mbappe’s season for Real Madrid made him a credible candidate for another Ballon d’Or, while also questioning what ultimately allowed Kane to finish ahead of him.

Speaking to Le Parisien, Drogba discussed the closeness of the contest and the performances produced by both players. He suggested that Mbappe’s displays could have justified him receiving the award again.

Mbappe remains one of the most decisive players of his generation and is expected to remain in contention for future individual honours. Drogba believes the France forward could have the chance to respond at the next World Cup, particularly if he helps Les Bleus win the tournament.

The former Chelsea player also offered another explanation for Mbappe’s defeat in the voting. He said the forward’s personality and willingness to speak openly could affect how some members of the public and voting panel view him.

Drogba’s assessment was that players who express their opinions publicly can sometimes attract greater criticism. In his view, Mbappe’s outspoken nature may have influenced perceptions of him, alongside the assessment of his performances on the pitch.

The discussion over the 2026 Ballon d’Or is therefore likely to continue, with the 28-point gap between Kane and Mbappe adding to the scrutiny of the final result.

Mbappe will have another opportunity to shape the debate at the next World Cup, where success with France could strengthen his claim to future individual awards.