Kylian Mbappe is launching an intensive campaign for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, banking on a series of historic individual milestones to outweigh the absence of major silverware during his 2025-26 season with Real Madrid and France. Though the award is typically tethered to team success, the forward believes his status as a record-breaking scorer makes him the frontrunner ahead of the upcoming ceremony in London. But Kylian Mbappe has left no stone unturned in his media push to win the upcoming Ballon d’Or, he may not be the bookmakers’ favourite or last season’s top goalscorer. However, the France captain set records, which he hopes will finally land him the coveted award that carries no cash prize but, alongside the accolade, increases a player’s worth and status, on an individual note. Scoring 66 goals for club and country, in a season when Portugal failed to progress beyond the 2012 World Cup playoffs and Real were the league’s runners, the forward earned the award purely for his individual brilliance.
The centerpiece of Mbappe’s argument is his performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. He secured the Golden Boot for the second consecutive tournament and cemented his status as the competition’s all-time leading goalscorer. With 22 goals in 22 appearances, he sits atop a historic leaderboard, ahead of Lionel Messi’s 21 goals and Miroslav Klose’s 16. Reflecting on this achievement, Mbappe noted that overtaking legendary figures in the sport’s most significant tournament is a performance that should weigh heavily in the voting. But how does his performance compare with other shortlisted nominees. His 22 World Cup goals in as many matches keep him at the top of a star-studded list that includes Argentina’s legend Lionel Messi in second place on 21 and German ex-international Miroslav Klose third on 16.
His club form remained prolific despite a turbulent season for Real Madrid, which saw the side transition through managers Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa. Mbappe concluded the term as the top scorer in La Liga with 25 goals and led the Champions League charts with 15 strikes. Confident in these metrics, he stated, “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.”
Critics, however, point to a significant lack of trophies. Real Madrid finished second in their domestic league and were eliminated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals. Internationally, France placed fourth after falling to Spain in the semifinals and losing the third-place playoff to England. This stands in contrast to contenders like Lamine Yamal, who achieved success with both Spain and Barcelona, or Harry Kane, who claimed three titles including the Bundesliga with Bayern.
Deflecting concerns over his lack of collective honors, Mbappe emphasized that the award judges individual excellence. “They won’t announce a team in the envelope; they will announce a player,” he told RFI. He maintains that the ability to produce eye-catching, decisive moments is the ultimate criteria for voters, who consist entirely of journalists.
Manager Jose Mourinho has publicly supported his player’s case, asserting that the individual who truly made history this summer hails from neither PSG nor the Spanish national team, signaling his belief that Mbappe’s personal feats transcend team results. His club manager, Jose Mourinho, has also backed the 2018 World Cup winner, while Mbappe’s self-promotion has been rampant in recent months.
This sentiment echoes the precedent set in 2013, when Cristiano Ronaldo claimed the trophy while playing for Real Madrid despite winning no major titles that year. He still has a slim chance, ronaldo’s 2013 triumph proves that while odds are not in Mbappe’s favour.
Ronaldo’s victory, earned through a prolific 66-goal season, remains the only recent instance of a player securing the Ballon d’Or without a trophy in his cabinet.
For Mbappe, who has earned nine nominations and placed third in 2023, the potential recognition represents a long-awaited crowning moment. Whether he can replicate the 2013 precedent or if the trend of rewarding trophy-laden campaigns—such as those of recent winners like Ousmane Dembele and Rodri—will continue remains the central question of this year’s race. The 2025 winner, enjoyed a trophy haul that included leading PSG to their first-ever Champions League title, while Spain’s midfield maestro Rodri won the Euro 2024 with Spain and the Premier League with, ousmane Dembele.
