Ballon d’Or 2026: African journalists back Mbappé, with Hakimi nowhere near the podium
Had the 20 African journalists alone chosen the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner, Kylian Mbappé would have won the vote comfortably. An analysis of their ballots puts the France forward ahead of Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane. The ranking also throws up some surprising choices, notably Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi in 11th place.
Rieltony LOUBOKO · Author profile ·
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This alternative ranking was compiled from the votes of the 20 African journalists who took part in the ballot. Applying the award's official points scale, every ballot was counted to produce an exclusively continental podium. It offers a way to compare the preferences of the African voters with the overall standings and to highlight the players who stood out in their choices.
Mbappé commands the field, Yamal ahead of Kane
With 226 points and nine first places from the 20 African ballots, Kylian Mbappé dominates this alternative ranking.
The France forward is ahead of Lamine Yamal, second with 196 points, a gap of 30 points. The young Spain international collects four first places, as many as Harry Kane, but edges ahead on total points.
The England striker must therefore settle for third place on the podium with 174 points. Behind this trio, Ousmane Dembélé is fourth with 141 points, without having been placed top on a single African ballot. Rodri completes the top 5 with 104 points, including one first place.
The rest of the ranking features Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (88 points), Lionel Messi (69 points) and Michael Olise (68 points). Fabián Ruiz and Erling Haaland close out the top 10 with 62 points each.
Hakimi, the big absentee from the top 10
One of the lessons of this vote concerns Achraf Hakimi. Despite a first place from the Moroccan journalist, the Paris Saint-Germain defender sits only 11th with 35 points. He therefore remains far from the main favourites of the continental vote.
Three ballots stood out in particular from the general trend. Besides the Moroccan journalist's choice of Hakimi, the Gabonese representative put Fabián Ruiz first, while the Nigerian journalist preferred Rodri. These choices contrast with the dominance of Mbappé, Yamal and Kane, who between them account for 17 of the 20 first places.
Beyond these individual preferences, the African vote underlines Mbappé's standing among the continent's journalists. With nine first places and a lead of 30 points over his closest challenger, the Frenchman emerges as the undisputed favourite of this parallel ranking.