Thomas Muller has endorsed either Michael Olise or Kylian Mbappe as the leading contenders for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
The award winner will be revealed on October 26, yet Muller has chosen to ignore other favorites, such as his former Bayern Munich teammate Harry Kane and World Cup champion Lamine Yamal.
Instead, he has put his support behind Olise, noting that the player significantly contributed to Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal victories during the 2025-26 season.
Olise concluded the Bundesliga season with an impressive total of 34 goal contributions (15 goals and 19 assists), setting a new record for a winger since Opta began tracking data in Germany’s top league in 2004-05.
Only Kane (who had 41 contributions) recorded more goals than Olise, who also excelled in the Champions League with five goals and seven assists across 13 matches.
He maintained his excellent form during the World Cup, becoming the first player on record to secure seven assists in a single tournament since 1966.
Meanwhile, Mbappe has emerged as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, with 22 goals, and has netted 50 goals in 52 matches for Real Madrid since last season began.
Among players in Europe’s top five leagues, only Kane (67) has scored more club goals than Mbappe in that timeframe.
OUR 2026 MEN’S BALLON D’OR NOMINEES! #ballondor https://t.co/GQFsH5u5lO
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) September 8, 2026
“In my opinion, the two players who have truly stood out this year are Michael Olise and his exceptional World Cup teammate Kylian Mbappe,” Muller expressed in his newsletter, as cited by Sky Sport Germany.
“Both combine flair with goal-scoring ability, demonstrating remarkable efficiency and making their actions seem effortless.”
“That’s the hallmark of a world-class player; they bring a bit of magic to the game.”
Muller also praised Olise’s strong start to the 2026-27 season, where he has tallied 11 goal contributions (eight goals and three assists), including a hat-trick in a stunning 7-0 victory against Union Berlin before the international break.
“It’s nothing new to see how he finishes chances from outside the box, but it never fails to impress,” Muller remarked.
Fan Take: This conversation around the Ballon d’Or highlights the exciting talent emerging in soccer, reaffirming the ever-rising competitive landscape of the sport. For fans, it signifies a departure from traditional powerhouses, suggesting that fresh faces like Olise and Mbappe could redefine global soccer dynamics in the coming years.
Source: www.soccernews.com
