Ballon d'Or 2026: Mbappé votes for himself, Dembélé declines, Diallo plays diplomat

Kylian Mbappé has openly claimed the 2026 Ballon d’Or since the announcement of the 30 nominees on Tuesday, while his compatriot Ousmane Dembélé adopted a radically opposite stance — and FFF president Philippe Diallo refused to settle the matter between the two French forwards.

“Who do I vote for? Myself,” the Real Madrid striker told L’Équipe, adding that the award “would not be stolen” given his credentials and the competition. A candid stance, backed by the Madrid club, which clearly positioned itself in favor of its player in this campaign.

On the Paris side, Ousmane Dembélé, the defending champion, adopted a very different tone. “I think the Ballon d’Or will stay in the hands of a PSG player,” the Paris striker said, before revealing his top 3: Kvaratskhelia, Harry Kane — “who had a very, very good season” — and Kylian Mbappé. Himself? “Oh no, I never put myself in things like that. I never vote for myself.” PSG, which has nine players among the 30 nominees, also did not clearly position itself in favor of Dembélé.

When asked to choose between the two French players, Philippe Diallo chose the path of neutrality. “Dembélé or Mbappé? Joker,” replied the French Football Federation president, refusing to take sides. Institutional diplomacy prevailed over all other considerations.