Ghana’s Ballon d’Or juror Michael Oti Adjei has reaffirmed his conviction that Kylian Mbappe was the best individual player in the world during the 2025/26 season, explaining the criteria that guided his voting decision.

Erica Odeenyin Odoom

Published 3 Nov 2026, 12:04 GMT

2 min read

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Mbappe was the best individual player in the world – Oti Adjei

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Speaking on Sports Daily on TV3, Oti Adjei said his decision was based on the Ballon d’Or code of conduct, which prioritises individual performances, followed by club and national team achievements, and fair play.

He insisted that individual performance should carry the greatest weight in the assessment, arguing that Mbappe stood above every other player over the course of the season.

“I was convinced beyond every doubt, and I still am, that Kylian Mbappe was the best individual football player for the season under reference,” he said.

Oti Adjei explained that the voting guidelines clearly outlined the order of importance of the three criteria, stressing that trophies alone should not determine the outcome.

He added that Mbappe’s dominance was evident in his scoring records across three of the biggest competitions in world football.

“No individual player in world football was as influential and as dominant in an individual capacity than Kylian Mbappe was,” he added.

Mbappe’s numbers further strengthened his case, having scored 58 goals in 60 appearances for club and country during the 2025/26 season.

The Ghanaian juror maintained that the French forward’s individual brilliance made him the standout player during the period under consideration.

Erica Odeenyin Odoom

Mbappe is the best player in the whole world – Oti Adjei

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