Former Super Eagles captain Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has backed Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, citing the French international’s impressive goalscoring record across major competitions.
The Nigerian football legend also identified Manchester City, Barcelona and Bayern Munich as his leading contenders to win this season’s UEFA Champions League, highlighting their squad strength, recruitment and performances.
Okocha made his selections during an interview with French publication Le Journal du Dimanche ahead of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League encounter with Manchester City.
The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder acknowledged that the Ballon d’Or race remains highly competitive, with several prominent players in contention for football’s most prestigious individual award.
Among those he identified were Mbappe, Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal and several players from Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Okocha believes Mbappe’s individual achievements make him a deserving candidate for the award.
The Real Madrid forward enjoyed an outstanding goalscoring campaign, finishing as the leading scorer at the World Cup with 10 goals, the Champions League with 15 goals and the Spanish league with 25 goals, according to Okocha.
The former Nigerian international argued that such consistency across three major competitions strengthens Mbappe’s claim to the honour.
Mbappe’s performances have kept him among the leading names in discussions about the world’s best footballer, although his chances of winning the award remain subject to the voting process and the achievements of his competitors.
Barcelona’s Yamal is another strong contender following his emergence as one of European football’s most exciting young talents. Kane has also attracted attention through his goalscoring contributions, while several PSG players remain in the conversation.
Despite the competition, Okocha believes Mbappe’s remarkable scoring figures give him a compelling case for the award.
The former Super Eagles star also shared his predictions for the Champions League, naming Manchester City, Barcelona and Bayern Munich as the teams he considers best placed to challenge for the trophy.
Okocha backed Manchester City despite the intense competition expected in Europe’s premier club competition, pointing to the club’s significant investment in strengthening its squad during the summer transfer window.
According to the former midfielder, City spent nearly €500 million on new players, an investment he believes could improve their chances of securing European success.
The English club has consistently competed among Europe’s leading sides in recent seasons, and Okocha expects its strengthened squad to remain a major threat to other title contenders.
Barcelona also earned his backing, with Okocha impressed by the Spanish club’s strong start to the campaign and the attacking partnership between Yamal and Raphinha.
The pair have attracted attention for their creativity, movement and ability to influence matches in the final third.
Barcelona’s attacking quality could prove decisive as the competition progresses, particularly if the team maintains its early-season form against Europe’s strongest opponents.
Okocha also identified Bayern Munich as a serious contender, pointing to the German club’s ability to retain its core players after coming close to winning the Champions League in the previous campaign.
He believes the team’s continued development and growing understanding among its established players could make it difficult to defeat.
Bayern’s squad continuity, according to Okocha, gives the German giants a strong foundation as they pursue another European title.
Interestingly, Okocha did not include his former club, Paris Saint-Germain, among his three leading Champions League favourites, despite the French side’s recent achievements in European football.
His selections instead reflect his confidence in Manchester City’s financial investment, Barcelona’s attacking form and Bayern Munich’s squad stability.
The Champions League remains one of football’s most unpredictable competitions, with knockout matches often determined by small margins, tactical decisions and individual moments of brilliance.
While Okocha’s predictions offer an experienced perspective on the leading contenders, the outcome will ultimately depend on how the teams perform throughout the campaign.
For Mbappe, the Ballon d’Or race presents another opportunity to secure individual recognition for his goalscoring achievements. For Manchester City, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, the challenge is to turn their perceived strengths into consistent performances and, ultimately, European glory.
