Kylian Mbappe Believes He Can Still Win Ballon d’Or Despite Trophyless Season
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
France and Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe remains confident about his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or, despite ending the season without a major trophy at club or international level.
The 27-year-old forward told France Football that individual performances should be an important factor when selecting the world’s best player. Mbappe believes his goal-scoring record across major competitions puts him among the strongest contenders for the prestigious award.
“I believe I can win it this year,” Mbappe said, describing the Ballon d’Or as one of his short-term ambitions.
Mbappe Highlights His Goal-Scoring Record
Mbappe enjoyed a highly productive campaign in front of goal. He scored 15 goals in the Champions League and added 25 goals in La Liga for Real Madrid.
He also made history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, taking his tournament tally to 22 goals and becoming the competition’s all-time leading scorer.
Despite Mbappe’s individual achievements, France were unable to reach the World Cup final after losing 2-0 to Spain in the semi-final.
The forward argued that the Ballon d’Or is an individual award and therefore should not depend entirely on whether a player wins team trophies.
Mbappe Compares Era With Messi and Ronaldo
Mbappe said his understanding of the Ballon d’Or was shaped by watching Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo compete for the award.
He believes the honour should recognise players who produce exceptional individual performances rather than simply rewarding team success.
According to Mbappe, his performances in major competitions this year were strong enough to make him a serious candidate.
He also pointed to his World Cup scoring record as a particularly significant achievement, noting that he surpassed Lionel Messi’s previous tournament scoring record.
Praise for New France Coach Zinedine Zidane
Mbappe also welcomed the appointment of Zinedine Zidane as France’s new head coach following Didier Deschamps’ departure.
The Real Madrid forward spoke highly of Zidane’s status in French football, describing him as a national icon whose influence extends across generations.
Zidane was part of France’s 1998 World Cup-winning team and remains one of the country’s most celebrated footballers. Mbappe believes his experience and legacy make him a special figure to lead the national side.
With the new coaching era beginning, Mbappe will now look to continue his strong individual form while helping France compete for major international honours in the coming years.
