"I am quite sure that he will win it next season" - Wesley Sneijder claims Real Madrid star is guaranteed to win the Ballon d'Or next year

Wesley Sneijder has predicted that Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe will win the Ballon d'Or in 2026. He believes that the Frenchman is ahead of every other player in the race, with Vinicius Jr winning it in 2027.

Speaking to Marca, Sneijder said that he is certain that Mbappe will win the Ballon d'Or because of the voting system. He added that the Frenchman has done well in his new position, and Los Blancos should not sign a forward. He said:

"I maintain that with the current points system, I'm almost certain Mbappé will win the trophy next season, 100%. Plus, he's become a true striker - he's more effective than when he played on the wing, and Real Madrid doesn't need a player like Haaland. As for Vinicius, he might win it the following year. Both of them have the potential."

"Vinicius maybe could have won it two years ago. He deserved it back then, but it's no shame. Personally, and I don't know what others think, I was happier lifting the Champions League trophy than winning a Ballon d'Or without the Champions League that season."

Kylian Mbappe finished 5th in the Ballon d'Or 2025 race, with 378 points, just over 1,000 points behind the eventual winner, Ousmane Dembele. The former PSG star's best finish in the France Football award remains 3rd in 2023, when he finished behind Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland.

Real Madrid star can win the Ballon d'Or, says Liverpool legend

Liverpool legend Steve McManaman has backed Trent Alexander-Arnold to win the Ballon d'Or in his career. He believes that the Real Madrid new signing can compete with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr for the award and told GOAL:

"It could be realistic. The only thing I'd say is most Ballon d’Or winners are forwards at this moment in time. He's going to need to be successful before he's even spoken about as a Ballon d’Or contender. He's made the move to Madrid, they've started the season well and he's started well. Trent wants to be a Ballon d’Or contender and to win it, but so does Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe! The most important thing is for them to be successful, we'll wait and see."

Real Madrid paid €10 million to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold in the summer, as they needed him for the FIFA Club World Cup - a month before his contract at Liverpool expired.