Former France forward Thierry Henry has backed Kylian Mbappé to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or. The former Arsenal striker reckons Michael Olise is ahead of England captain Harry Kane in the award’s race.

While Kane scored 36 goals in 31 matches for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga in the previous season, Mbappé scored 25 goals in 31 matches for Real Madrid in LaLiga. Furthermore, the French striker scored 15 goals in 11 games of the Champions League. Kane scored a total of 51 goals in as many games in the previous season.

Meanwhile, Mbappé has gone two seasons without winning any major trophy with Real Madrid since joining the La Liga giants.

Mbappé scored 10 goals for France in the FIFA World Cup, taking his tournament tally to 22 goals, which is the highest by any player in the competition’s history. The Frenchman is one of the favorites for the Ballon d’Or.

Mbappe, Kane and Olise have been named on the 30-player shortlist to win the Ballon d’Or on Monday, with the winner to be announced at a ceremony in London on Oct. 26.

“It’s Kylian Mbappé,” Henry said. “And yes, people will tell me that he didn’t win anything. I think it happened in history. I think some people need to do their research on that one.”

“But for me, it’s Kylian. When you see what he has achieved individually … Top goal scorer in the Champions League, top goal scorer in LaLiga and also the World Cup. Michael Olise has the same thing in terms of assists.”

Henry feels Olise is ahead of Harry Kane in the Ballon d’Or race.

“I just wanted to explain that there are a lot of people that are candidates and they’re not like Mickey Mouse candidates, in all fairness,” Henry said. “But I will personally go with [Mbappé]. Michael Olise, close.