The head of France Football shares just how tight the Ballon d’Or race was between Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe.
Vincent Garcia, editor-in-chief of France Football, shared that the points difference between Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe in this year’s Ballon d’Or was even smaller than the close gap between Rodri and Vinicius Jr in 2024.
At a memorable night at the London Palladium theatre, an emotional Kane became the first English player in 25 years to win the Ballon d’Or, beating Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to take home football’s top individual award.
The 33-year-old Bayern Munich and England striker scored 73 goals during the 2025-26 season and was the favorite going into Monday’s event. But the competition was tighter than many expected.
After Kane’s win, Vincent Garcia spoke with L’Equipe on the red carpet, revealing just how close the race was. “This year, there were several strong contenders,” he said. “Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe were neck and neck, with a very small points gap. It was actually smaller than the 41-point difference between Rodri and Vinicius in 2024, which was already very close.”
Garcia added, “I watched the results closely during the voting month. Mbappe was ahead for a long time, but Kane came back strong. In the end, the difference was just a few points.”
He also spoke about Lamine Yamal, who missed out on the trophy, and how Spain’s World Cup win made voting tougher. “Lamine Yamal became a world champion, which is huge, but he scored only one goal and started the tournament injured. This made it really hard for the jury to compare the Spanish players.”
When asked who he voted for, Garcia kept it a secret, saying the votes will be revealed on October 31. “I voted for someone who didn’t win, but I think they deserved it,” he said.
Many agree that Kane was a deserving winner after such an impressive season. On stage, Kane gave a heartfelt speech:
“Wow, I’m almost speechless! Thank you to France Football for this amazing event, and for hosting it here in London, which made it feel extra special. Thanks to everyone who voted for me — the competition was tough with some incredible players and teammates here tonight.
“Congratulations to all the nominees and winners — you show what hard work and determination can achieve. To my Bayern Munich teammates, you push me to be better every day, and I’m grateful for that.
“To my coaches and staff, especially Vinnie and Thomas Tuchel, thank you for your leadership and support. Playing and representing Bayern Munich and England is a true honor.
“A huge thanks to Tottenham Hotspur, where I started at age 11. Without the guidance and support from the coaches there, I wouldn’t be standing here today.
“To my family—my wife Kate, kids Ivy, Vivian, Louie, and Henry, my brother Charlie, my parents, and my in-laws—your love and support mean everything to me. This trophy is as much yours as it is mine.
“To my surgeon, who helped me recover from tough injuries over the years, thank you for your dedication behind the scenes.
“Finally, to any young boys or girls dreaming big, remember this: anything is possible with hard work, belief in yourself, and resilience. My journey wasn’t smooth, but it’s proof that if you keep pushing, you can reach the top. Thank you all so much.”