Real Madrid’s French forward Kylian Mbappe has been awarded the 2026 Onze d’Or, marking the first time he has claimed the prestigious honor. In a massive display of support from football fans, Mbappe secured 48.2 percent of the over two million votes cast, finishing well ahead of runner-up Joao Neves, who received 11.9 percent. This win coincides with the 50th anniversary of the award, placing Mbappe among an elite group of past recipients, including football legends like Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi.
Rounding out the top five in the voting were Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in third with 10.8 percent, Lamine Yamal in fourth with 9.7 percent, and defending champion Ousmane Dembele, who placed fifth with 7.5 percent. Mbappe joins a distinguished list of French winners that includes iconic figures such as Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, Eric Cantona, Thierry Henry, Antoine Griezmann, and Karim Benzema.
The forward’s recognition stems from a dominant 2025-26 campaign. He finished as the top scorer in La Liga with 25 goals and added another 15 goals in the Champions League, bringing his total club tally for the season beyond 40. His momentum continued into the 2026 World Cup, where he remained a focal point of the tournament with 10 goals and four assists.
With this consistent scoring form on the international stage, Mbappe has climbed to the top of the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorers list. He now holds a career total of 22 goals in the tournament, surpassing both Lionel Messi, who sits at 21, and Miroslav Klose, who follows with 16.
