Kylian Mbappe, who plays for France and Real Madrid, is pushing to win the Ballon d’Or. On Tuesday, he said he feels confident about winning the award.
The 27-year-old was the top scorer at the World Cup this summer. He also led in goals for last season’s Champions League and La Liga.
But he did not win any trophies as France lost in the World Cup semi-finals. His club, Real Madrid, finished second in La Liga and got knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
“They won’t announce a team in the envelope; they will announce a player,” Mbappe told RFI radio station.
“The ability to perform individually and produce eye-catching moments, that’s what stands out to people for an award like this.
“I was top scorer in all the biggest competitions, and I think that this could be a good year for me, and I really feel it.”
Mbappe scored 25 goals in La Liga, 15 in the Champions League, and another 10 at the World Cup. With these goals, he became the all-time leading scorer in the World Cup, with 22 goals in total.
But he faces strong competition for the Ballon d’Or. Many players enjoyed success with their clubs or countries in 2026.
2025 Ballon d’Or winner Rodrigo Hernandez led Spain to win the 2026 World Cup. Spanish players Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres won La Liga with Barcelona and the World Cup. PSG players Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia won Ligue 1 and the Champions League, while Harry Kane won the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich.
On September 17, 2026, PUNCH Online reported that Mbappe wants the Ballon d’Or to return to Real Madrid. He said he wants to give Madridistas another reason to celebrate.
Speaking to Diario AS, the French forward said he hopes the prestigious award can come back to the Santiago Bernabéu.
The Ballon d’Or ceremony is set to take place in London on October 26.
AFP
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