Mbappé sweeps competition for major individual award one week ahead of Ballon d'Or

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has been awarded the prestigious Onze d'Or, voted by readers of French magazine Onze Mondial as Europe's best player of the season. The accolade comes just a week before the Ballon d'Or ceremony, with the French marksman succeeding compatriot Ousmane Dembélé, who won the award in 2025.

Mbappé's triumph follows an impressive campaign featuring over 40 goals, capped by a historic showing at the 2026 World Cup, where he became the all-time top scorer in tournament history. The Real Madrid frontman secured 48.2% of the vote for the 2026 accolade, finishing well clear of PSG stars João Neves (11.9%) and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (10.8%), who lifted the Champions League with the Parisian side.

Lamine Yamal followed with 7.5%, ahead of Harry Kane (4.4%), Michael Olise (2.9%), Vitinha (2.8%), Declan Rice (1.1%), and Bruno Fernandes (0.7%).

Historically, the winner of the Onze d'Or often doubles up with the Ballon d'Or. The gala for football's most coveted individual prize takes place in London in exactly a week, with Mbappé among the leading contenders in what promises to be a tightly contested and open race.

In 2025, Dembélé achieved the double by claiming both the Onze d'Or and the joint France Football-UEFA prize, while Vinícius Júnior took the honours in 2024.

Lionel Messi remains the record holder with four Onze d'Or trophies. Zinedine Zidane and Michel Platini have won three apiece, while Cristiano Ronaldo has taken the award twice. Notably, no Spanish player has ever lifted the trophy.