Mbappé: 2026 Could Be My Year to Win Ballon D’Or
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has said that 2026 could be a good year for him to win the Ballon
d’Or for the first time.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League match against
Inter Milan, the 27-year-old France captain pointed to his record-breaking performances at the 2026
World Cup.
He scored 10 goals to win the Golden Boot and became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history
with 22 goals, although France finished fourth.
“I think when you play for Real Madrid, the best club in the world, people associate you with this
award,” Mbappé said.
“There are many people that speak about me and the Ballon d’Or. Of course I’ve made history in the
most important competition. Maybe it’s a good year for this but people can vote according to what they
think.”
He added: “I always think I’m the best [player in the world] but everyone has their own opinion. Of
course this year could be good for me to win the Ballon d’Or. But journalists vote.”
Mbappé scored 42 goals in 44 games for Real Madrid last season, though the club won no major
trophies.
His highest previous Ballon d’Or finish was third in 2023 while at Paris Saint-Germain. The 2026 award
will be presented on 26 October.
Other leading contenders include Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, who scored 61 goals last season, and last
year’s winner Ousmane Dembélé.
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
