Why I voted for Mbappé over Yamal, Kane in Ballon d’Or – Oti Adjei explains

Ghanaian sports journalist Michael Oti Adjei has said Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé impressed him the most during the season under review, prompting him to vote for the forward as his first choice.

The TV3 Network sports journalist, who was Ghana’s official voter, placed Mbappé first, Harry Kane second and Lamine Yamal third in his selection.

Other players, including Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembélé, Declan Rice, Michael Olise, João Neves, Bruno Fernandes and Erling Haaland, occupied the fourth to 10th positions on his list.

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Explaining his selection, Oti Adjei said Mbappé’s achievements during the 2025/2026 season stood out among those of his competitors.

He said the France captain’s ability to finish as the top scorer in several major competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, the 2026 FIFA World Cup and La Liga, contributed to his decision.

“Because I am convinced he is the best player in the world based on everything he did in the season. That is a good enough reason,” Oti Adjei said when asked about his voting preference for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

His decision has drawn criticism from fans who were unimpressed with his rankings.

Harry Kane emerged as the winner of the prestigious accolade, beating Mbappé by a narrow margin in a closely contested race.

Read the tweet below:

🚨🗣️ Ghanaian journalist Michael Oti Adjei on why he voted for Kylian Mbappé in 1st position as his Ballon d'Or favorite:

"Because I am convinced is the best player in the world based on everything he did in the season. That is a good enough reason." https://t.co/HSiJquRdak

— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) October 31, 2026