Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé has openly backed his own credentials for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, stating that it is natural for him to be in the conversation following his historic performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking during a press conference on Monday, ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League match against Inter Milan, the 27-year-old forward addressed public expectations and his personal ambitions regarding football’s top individual prize.
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Despite a trophyless season with Real Madrid, the 27-year-old forward emphasized his unprecedented individual exploits for both club and country as a legitimate basis for winning football’s ultimate individual prize.
Comparing himself to rivals like Ousmane Dembélé, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal, Mbappé asserted that winning the award “wouldn’t be stealing” and that he would vote for himself. Addressing criticism over a lack of team trophies, he defended his historic individual output.
“I think that when you play for Real Madrid, which is the best club in the world, naturally people associate you with that kind of award, they associate you with collective awards, individual awards.
“A lot of people, when they see me in the street, talk to me about the Ballon d’Or, a lot of people talk about me as a possible Ballon d’Or winner…“This might be a good year for the Ballon d’Or, but the journalists vote, and they will decide. I only focus on doing my best”.
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“Of course I made a lot of history this summer in the most important competition in sport, but we’ll see. I have the feeling that it’s a good year for that, but there’s still a long time to go and people are free to vote for whoever they think is the best player in the world.”
Mbappe said he would accept lower numbers if it led to trophies, but noted they were not mutually exclusive.
“I’d take 30 goals with titles, yes, but… for me it’s an absurd debate,” said Mbappe.
“I always want to score goals and win titles… you don’t have to choose, you can do both things.”
