Pique Names Top 3 Ballon d'Or Favorites, Snubs Mbappe

On September 15, 2026, Gerard Pique, the former Barcelona and Spain defender, announced his top three favorites for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, notably omitting Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe. Pique's selections include Harry Kane, the England and Bayern Munich striker, who had a remarkable season, scoring 73 goals and leading England to a World Cup third-place finish while lifting his second Bundesliga trophy.

Lamine Yamal, a 19-year-old Barcelona player, had an impressive season with 18 goals and 21 assists, contributing to Spain's World Cup victory. Rodri, also from Barcelona, won the World Cup Golden Ball and played a crucial role in Spain's success.

The Ballon d'Or winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on October 26, 2026, marking the first time the event is held outside Paris. Pique himself never ranked higher than 9th in Ballon d'Or voting during his career.