Thierry Henry backs Mbappé and Olise as top Ballon d'Or contenders

Thierry Henry sees two French players in position to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or, with the ceremony taking place in London on Monday 26 October. The former international and youth coach gave a detailed analysis of the main candidates, openly stating his preference for the French contingent.

For Henry, the race remains wide open with no clear favourite. “This year it’s not clear,” he said, before reviewing the shortcomings of each contender. Harry Kane suffers from a lack of individual recognition according to Henry: “You want to be the best player in the world but you’re not the best player in your league or your national team.” Jude Bellingham has been hampered by a disappointing season at Real Madrid despite a successful World Cup. Rodri, judged “more than extraordinary,” saw his candidacy weakened by his knee injury and lack of playing time with Manchester City. As for Lamine Yamal, Henry acknowledges that he “wasn’t good at the World Cup,” even if the Barcelona player has impressed since.

Faced with these reservations, the former France striker clearly directs his choice towards Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise. On the absence of a major title for the French captain, Henry dismisses the argument: “I’ve seen players win the Ballon d’Or without winning anything. There are 10-11 of them. It’s happened! I think Kylian can have it.”

It is Olise’s season, however, that seems to enthuse Henry most. “Michael Olise, are we talking about him or not? He’s won everything. Best passer at the World Cup, in the Bundesliga and in the Champions League. What Kylian has for strikers, he has for playmakers,” he highlighted, recalling that Olise was also named best player in Germany this season.

Henry concluded bluntly: “I’m French. Why not push our French players?”, invoking his own experience and that of Franck Ribéry, both of whom came close to the award without ever winning it.