Vitinha names Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe as Ballon d'Or picks

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha has named Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe as the top contenders for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. Speaking ahead of the Super Cup final against Aston Villa, the 26-year-old Portuguese player identified the two athletes as having a strong chance of winning the award.

Vitinha expressed a preference for a teammate to receive the honor, noting that he would personally award the trophy to a player from the Parisian squad. However, he highlighted Kane and Mbappe as the standout candidates for the upcoming ceremony, which is scheduled for Monday, October 26, in London.

Kylian Mbappe enters the conversation following a prolific season with Real Madrid. He recorded 42 goals and seven assists across 44 appearances, earning both the LaLiga Pichichi and the UEFA Champions League Golden Boot. His international form was also significant, as he scored 10 goals in eight matches to finish as the top scorer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Harry Kane also presents a strong case after a high-scoring campaign with Bayern Munich. He registered 61 goals and seven assists in 51 games last season. During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Kane scored six goals in seven matches for England, a performance that secured him the European Golden Boot.

The defensive midfielder, who joined PSG from Porto for €41.50M, remains a key figure for the French club. Despite his recent history with heel and knock injuries, Vitinha's assessment focuses on the elite individual performances that define the current race for the award.