Oti Adjei Explains Why He Voted for Mbappé Ahead of Yamal and Kane in Ballon d’Or
Ghanaian sports journalist Michael Oti Adjei has explained why he ranked Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé ahead of Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal in his voting for the 2026 Ballon d’Or award.
Oti Adjei, who represented Ghana on the Ballon d’Or voting panel, placed Mbappé at the top of his list, followed by Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal.
Explaining his decision, the journalist said he considered Mbappé the best individual player in the world during the period under review, based on his performances and overall contribution on the pitch.
He argued that individual brilliance should be given significant consideration when assessing the world’s best footballer, rather than relying mainly on the number of trophies won by a player’s club or national team.
According to Oti Adjei, although Yamal enjoyed an impressive campaign, he did not believe the young Barcelona forward had reached the same individual level as Mbappé and Kane during the period being assessed.
He also addressed discussions surrounding Spain’s success, arguing that Yamal should not automatically be considered the most decisive player simply because he was part of a team that achieved major honours.
To support his position, Oti Adjei reportedly cited Fabian Ruiz as an example of a player who won several major trophies but whose team success alone would not necessarily make him the best footballer in the world.
The journalist’s voting choices reflected his preference for evaluating players based on their individual performances, influence and consistency throughout the season.
His top 10 selections were Kylian Mbappé in first place, Harry Kane second and Lamine Yamal third. Lionel Messi occupied fourth position, followed by Ousmane Dembélé in fifth.
Declan Rice was placed sixth, while Michael Olise came seventh. João Neves occupied eighth position, with Bruno Fernandes ninth and Erling Haaland completing the list in tenth place.
Despite Oti Adjei’s preference for Mbappé, Kane eventually emerged as the overall winner of the 2026 Ballon d’Or, collecting 1,055 points.
Mbappé finished second with 1,027 points, just 28 points behind the England international, while Yamal secured third place with 881 points.
Oti Adjei has been involved in the Ballon d’Or voting process since 2007, making him one of Ghana’s experienced representatives in the international football award’s voting process.
In the 2025 edition, he voted for Ousmane Dembélé, who went on to win the award.
His latest explanation provides an insight into the considerations behind his 2026 selections and the debate over whether individual performances or team achievements should carry greater weight when determining the world’s best footballer.
Source: Thepressradio.com
