Ronaldo Nazario backs Mbappe as his heir in tight Ballon d'Or race
Brazilian football legend Ronaldo Nazario said at the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony in London that Kylian Mbappe is his heir, praising the French star's complete skill set while declining to predict the winner of the tight race. Ronaldo, a two-time winner, called the competition between Mbappe, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, and Bayern Munich's Harry Kane "very complicated" and unpredictable. He celebrated having two Spanish-based finalists, while Kane admitted nervousness, calling his Bayern season his best with three trophies. The London ceremony marked the award's 70th anniversary, honoring inaugural winner Sir Stanley Matthews. Mbappe arrived after scoring twice in El Clasico and becoming the all-time World Cup top scorer this summer.