Mbappe’s gesture leaves Ballon d’Or outcome shrouded in uncertainty

Kylian Mbappe has intensified speculation about the 2026 Ballon d’Or after appearing to acknowledge that he will win the award at Monday night’s ceremony in London.

A video released by DAZN on social media shows the Real Madrid forward speaking to comedian Redouane Bougheraba after his side’s 2-1 victory over Barcelona in El Clasico.

Bougheraba asks Mbappe: “Will you win tomorrow?”

The France international responds with a gesture which many supporters interpreted as confirmation that he is set to receive football’s most prestigious individual prize.

Mbappe’s case was strengthened after he scored both of Real Madrid’s goals against Barcelona, making him the focus of attention in the final hours before the ceremony.

Despite the online reaction to the footage, there has been no definitive confirmation of the result. Debate surrounding the award has continued as several possible clues are examined ahead of the event.

Real Madrid’s return to the Ballon d’Or ceremony after boycotting it in 2024, together with the expected presence of several leading contenders, has added to the uncertainty.

Harry Kane is relying on his statistics with Bayern Munich, while Lamine Yamal has strengthened his claim through his performances for Barcelona and the Spain national team.

However, Pascal Ferre, the former president of the Ballon d’Or, has provided an important explanation about how the result is communicated to nominees.

Speaking to French radio station RMC, Ferre said candidates are no longer told the outcome before arriving at the ceremony.

“Since 2024, winners have no longer been informed of their fate before the ceremony, and they are all in the same position,” he said.

“When they arrive at the ceremony hall in London, none of them will be able to raise their arms in triumph in front of the others because they do not know the result.”

That change means Mbappe’s gesture remains open to interpretation, despite the reaction it has generated online. The result will be revealed at the London ceremony, with Mbappe, Kane and Yamal among the names at the centre of the pre-event discussion.