With voting for the 2026 Ballon d’Or already concluded, former Bayern Munich star Thomas Müller has revealed his preferred candidates for football’s most prestigious individual award, leaving Harry Kane out of his top choices.
Kane is widely considered one of the favourites to win the award, but Müller, his former teammate at Bayern Munich, believes Michael Olise and Kylian Mbappé have produced the most impressive individual performances.
In an interview shared by @iMiaSanMia on X, the Vancouver Whitecaps striker explained why the two attacking stars stood out to him.
“For me, there are two candidates whose individual performances have impressed me the most,” Müller said.
“And they are Michael Olise and his brilliant partner at the World Cup, Kylian Mbappé. Why? The two combine spectacular play with a real goal threat. In the finer details, they manage to be efficient with their finesse and power while making the whole thing look incredibly effortless.”
The German forward added that the ability to combine technical brilliance with an eye for goal was essential for anyone aspiring to be recognised as the best footballer in the world.
“To me, that’s the kind of material you need to be the world’s best footballer. You simply need that touch of magic,” he added.
Müller’s comments place Olise and Mbappé ahead of Kane in his personal assessment, despite the England captain’s strong position in the race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
Olise, in particular, has attracted significant attention for his performances, with his creativity, technical ability and attacking contributions strengthening his case for individual recognition.
However, Bayern Munich appear to be backing Kane’s chances of winning the award. The German club has publicly supported the England international’s campaign, with Olise himself featuring in a video endorsing Kane as a potential winner.
The situation highlights the difference between individual preferences and a club’s collective position as the Ballon d’Or race approaches its conclusion.
While Müller believes Olise and Mbappé possess the combination of flair, efficiency and goal threat required to become the world’s best player, Bayern’s support for Kane suggests the club considers its striker a strong contender for the prestigious honour.
With the voting process already completed, attention now turns to the final announcement, which will determine whether Kane can secure the award or whether another contender will emerge victorious.
