India, Sept. 12 -- Kylian Mbappe has made an emphatic case for winning the 2026 Ballon d'Or, insisting that no player performed at a higher level than him over the past season despite Real Madrid and France both finishing their major campaigns without silverware.

The race for football's biggest individual prize has become particularly intriguing following the announcement of the 30-man shortlist earlier this week. Harry Kane's extraordinary goalscoring season and trophy haul has strengthened his challenge, while Lamine Yamal's success with Barcelona and World Cup-winning Spain gives the teenager a formidable case of his own. Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Rodri and Mbappe are among the other major names in contention ahead of the October ...