Ballon d'Or 2026: Rafael van der Vaart names player to win award in London

Former Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder, Rafael van der Vaart, has named the player to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

The winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or will be announced on Monday in London.

However, Van der Vaart believes Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé will win the Ballon d’Or because he is the best player by far at the moment.

When asked who will win the Ballon d’Or on Monday, the former Netherlands international said, as quoted by Madrid Universal (via Madrid Zone), “Kylian Mbappé.

“I think he is by far the best player in the world right now, and he had a magnificent performance at the World Cup, so I think he deserves the award.”

Mbappé is expected to face stiff competition from Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal for the Ballon d’Or.