Thierry Henry Endorses Kylian Mbappe for Ballon d'Or Over Messi and Others

Henry Backs Mbappe for Ballon d'Or

Paris [France], September 9: Thierry Henry, the former Arsenal and French football icon, has expressed his support for Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Ballon d'Or, suggesting he deserves the accolade over notable contenders like Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Rodri, and Jude Bellingham. Henry emphasized Mbappe's remarkable individual accomplishments, even in the absence of significant team trophies.

He highlighted Mbappe's achievements as the top scorer in the Champions League, LaLiga, and the World Cup, showcasing his elite performance level.

The nominations for the Ballon d'Or, football's most esteemed individual honor, were revealed by the official Ballon d'Or X handle, featuring a lineup of stars who excelled during the 2025-26 European season and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Henry stated, “It’s Kylian Mbappe. Yes, some may argue he hasn’t won anything, but history shows that this isn’t a unique situation.” He continued, “For me, it’s Kylian. His individual achievements are remarkable—top scorer in the Champions League, LaLiga, and the World Cup. Michael Olise also shares similar assist records,” he added.

Despite a stellar 2025-26 season where the 27-year-old netted 25 goals in LaLiga and 15 in the Champions League, Mbappe has yet to claim the prestigious Ballon d'Or.

Henry also mentioned that Messi would likely have won the award for the ninth time had Argentina retained their World Cup title, stating, “If they had won the World Cup, I believe the Ballon d'Or would have gone to him.”