Thierry Henry has named Raphael Varane as his favorite to beat the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric to the award with the ceremony set to take place on December 3 in Paris this year.
Arsenal legend Henry does not reckon Real Madrid star Luka Modric should get the award – instead vouching for one of his Los Blancos team-mates.
The 1998 World Cup winner said: “I think it would be a shame if a French player does not win the Balon d'Or, apart from Eden Hazard because he was extraordinary at every World Cup match – defensively and on the counter-attack.
Henry is currently struggling as the boss of Monaco, his first venture into a managerial career.
Mbappe left Monaco for Paris St-Germain permanently this summer and Henry has lamented that decision to let him go.
This article was most recently revised and updated 5 years ago
