Okocha curiously left out last year’s winner, PSG and runner-up, Arsenal from possible UCL glory this season.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nigerian pundit and Super Eagles playmaker, Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha, has waded into the debate on the player who is likely to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or and the clubs that are in pole position to lift the UEFA Champions League (UCL) trophy this season.
He made his picks during an interview with French media outlet Le Journal du Dimanche ahead of Paris Saint-Germain’s Wednesday Champions League clash against Manchester City.
According to the former Nigeria international, the race for the Ballon d’Or remains fiercely contested, with several prominent players, including Harry Kane, Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, vying for the award.
He, however, picked Real Madrid and French superstar Kylian Mbappé as the player he expects to win the coveted award this year.
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He went on to argue that Mbappé deserves the accolade because of his exceptional goalscoring record at the World Cup, in the Champions League and in the Spanish league.
He said, “The suspense is more exciting than ever. There are a good half-dozen contenders: Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, the PSG players.
“I think Mbappé deserves it for having been the top scorer in the World Cup (10 goals), the Champions League (15) and the Spanish league (25).”
On the club to win the Champions League trophy this season, Okocha identified Manchester City, Barcelona and Bayern Munich as the leading contenders.
While justifying his predictions, he highlighted City’s significant spending during the summer transfer window, Barcelona’s impressive performance in the early stages of the season, and Bayern Munich’s ability to retain their top players.
Okocha, however, curiously left out last year’s winner and former team, PSG, and the previous season’s runner-up, Arsenal, as possible contenders for UCL glory this year.
