Ballon d’Or: Mbappé handed a fake trophy on the Djadel Show, six days before the real ceremony

“The Ballon d’Or 2026 goes to Mobutu Mbappé.” Ilyes Djadel reads the verdict into the microphone, confetti and dancers around the stage. Kylian Mbappé walks up to collect the trophy, laughing and slightly embarrassed, in front of several hundred people and under the eyes of Aurélien Tchouaméni. That Ballon d’Or is a fake: it closes the “Djadel Show”, the comedian’s programme available on Netflix from this Tuesday, co-produced by Zebra Valley, the company founded by the Real Madrid forward. “You’re going to love it, trust me,” Djadel had told him before the announcement. “Mobutu Mbappé” is a nickname born on social media.

The real trophy is decided on 26 October in London

The real Ballon d’Or will be awarded on Monday 26 October at the London Palladium, the day after the first Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid. One hundred journalists vote for the men’s award, over a period running from 3 August 2025 to 19 July 2026, the day of the World Cup final. Six days out, the forecasts diverge.

ESPN’s simulation, which had twenty journalists vote, makes Harry Kane the winner: Bill Connelly notes that Kane played eight more matches and over 600 more minutes than Lamine Yamal, for 81 goals and assists combined, 36 more than the Barcelona player. The model of French firm AVISIA, published by Foot Mercato, produces a different ranking:

• Lamine Yamal: 23%
• Harry Kane: 21%
• Kylian Mbappé and Rodri: 19%
• Lionel Messi: 18%

ESPN mostly frames the duel between Mbappé and Yamal without deciding: 58 goals and 13 assists in 60 matches for the Frenchman this season, 25 goals and 20 assists in 57 for the Spaniard. RMC Sport simply lists Mbappé among the leading candidates.

PSG against Barcelona, a dress rehearsal tonight

According to AS, quoted by Foot Mercato, the Champions League offers an early taste of the ceremony on Tuesday night: PSG against Barcelona at the Parc des Princes will bring together 17 nominations, and the Parisian club fields 10 of the 30 candidates on its own, a record for a single club.