Müller Names His Top Ballon d'Or Contenders

Bayern Munich legend Thomas Müller has overlooked prolific striker Harry Kane, instead naming fellow Bayern star Michael Olise as his frontrunner for this year's Ballon d'Or. The veteran forward also highlighted another French international, Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé, as a worthy contender for football's most prestigious individual accolade.

"What is going on with Bayern at home? I caught parts of the last match and, of course, the Olise show. There's nothing new about how he scores those long-range strikes, but it remains a spectacle every single time. And that brings us straight to the big question: who is the player of the year? For me, two candidates have stood out the most with their individual displays—Olise and his perfectly complementary World Cup partner, Mbappé. Why? Both blend flair with a constant threat on goal. More precisely, they combine efficiency with finesse and power, all while making it look completely effortless. For me, that is what makes a Player of the Year. You just need that spark of magic," wrote Müller, who now plays for the Vancouver Whitecaps, in his personal newsletter.

Last season, Olise recorded 22 goals and 31 assists in 51 appearances for Bayern, also finishing as the top playmaker at the 2026 World Cup with seven assists. Meanwhile, Mbappé racked up 42 goals and seven assists in 44 matches for Real Madrid before claiming the Golden Boot at the World Cup in North America, netting ten goals and providing four assists.