Pascal Ferré, former head of the [Ballon d'Or](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballon_d%27Or), stated on October 26 that Kylian Mbappé’s 2025‑26 season does not merit the upcoming award, while Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal should be favoured after a trophy‑laden campaign.
**What trophies did the contenders win?**
Yamal secured the Spanish LaLiga crown and was part of France’s World Cup‑winning squad, giving him two major titles in the review period. In contrast, Mbappé topped the scoring charts in LaLiga, the UEFA Champions League and the World Cup but did not lift a club trophy.
**Why does Ferré value silverware?**
He explained, “For me, you don’t ask for a Ballon d’Or; you earn it. Winning trophies matters.” Ferré added that he has spoken with jury members, noting that his personal views do not influence their votes.
**What is Ferré’s personal verdict?**
He remarked, “Mbappé is a great player, but this year I would not vote for him. Among the 30 nominees, he was one of the few who didn’t win a trophy with his club. It seems strange to be called the best player without a season‑long title.”
**Who are the key figures?**
The former director highlighted [Kylian Mbappé](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kylian_Mbapp%C3%A9) of [Real Madrid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Madrid_CF) and [Lamine Yamal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamine_Yamal) of Barcelona as the main contenders.
The final decision will be announced on October 26, when the shortlist is narrowed and the winner is revealed.