Ballon d’Or 2026: Lamine Yamal leads Mustapha Hadji’s top five

Mustapha Hadji has named Lamine Yamal as his leading candidate to win the Ballon d’Or 2026, ahead of Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

The award will be presented on 26 October. Africafoot asked five prominent figures from African football to select their five leading contenders, with former Morocco international Hadji providing his ranking.

Hadji earned 64 caps for Morocco and scored 12 goals during his international career. At club level, he won the Supercoupe du Portugal with Sporting Lisbon in 1997 and the Coupe Intertoto with Aston Villa in 2001. He was also named African Player of the Year in 1998.

1. Lamine Yamal – Spain and FC Barcelona

Hadji puts Lamine Yamal at the top of his list, impressed by the FC Barcelona forward’s ability, entertainment value and maturity despite his young age.

The former Morocco international believes the Spain international has the potential to reach an even higher level in the future, making him his preferred choice for the 2026 award.

2. Kylian Mbappe – France and Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe occupies second place in Hadji’s selection.

Hadji points to the French forward’s outstanding statistics, including his status as the leading scorer in Liga, the Ligue des champions and the Coupe du monde. Mbappe’s individual numbers earn him a prominent place in the ranking, even though he finished the season without a collective trophy.

3. Harry Kane – England and Bayern Munich

Harry Kane is third on Hadji’s list of contenders.

The former Morocco international highlights the England captain’s consistency and his efficiency in front of goal. Kane has established himself as a reference point with Bayern Munich, qualities which Hadji considers worthy of recognition in the Ballon d’Or debate.

4. Ousmane Dembele – France and Paris Saint-Germain

Ousmane Dembele is selected in fourth place.

Hadji underlines the attacker’s influence on Paris Saint-Germain’s success in the Ligue des champions and Ligue 1, despite a number of injuries affecting his season.

However, Hadji believes Dembele could have made a greater impression during the Coupe du monde, a factor that places him below the three players above him in the ranking.

5. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Georgia and Paris Saint-Germain

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia completes Hadji’s top five.

The Georgian winger’s technical ability and dribbling particularly appeal to Hadji, who compares him with Luis Figo. He also recognises Kvaratskhelia’s contribution to Paris Saint-Germain’s European triumph.

Hadji nevertheless points to the player’s more limited impact in Ligue 1 and Georgia’s absence from the Coupe du monde as reasons for placing him fifth.