Mbappe Backs Himself for Ballon d’Or Despite Trophyless Real Madrid Season
Kylian Mbappe has stated that he believes he should win this year’s Ballon d’Or despite ending the campaign without a trophy for either Real Madrid or France.
Why Mbappe’s case matters
The Madrid forward’s comments put the focus on the balance between individual output and collective success in the award’s voting. Madrid did not add silverware during the season, while France’s World Cup run ended in a 2-0 semi-final loss to eventual winners Spain.
| Category | Mbappe’s record |
|---|---|
| Champions League goals | 15 |
| Liga goals | 25 |
| World Cup goals, all time | 22 |
| France’s World Cup exit | Semi-final, lost 2-0 to Spain |
Mbappe argued that the Ballon d’Or should not be treated simply as a reward for the players whose teams won the most trophies. He described winning the prize as an immediate personal objective and maintained that no candidate had delivered more over the course of the year.
He also pointed to the nature of Ballon d’Or voting, noting that the award is not decided unanimously and that individual opinions will always differ on who deserves recognition.
The 15 Champions League goals and 25 league strikes underlined his importance to Madrid’s attack, but his World Cup return formed the centre of his argument. Mbappe’s tally of 22 goals at the tournament moved him beyond Lionel Messi as the competition’s leading scorer in its history.
For Mbappe, the standard for the award has been shaped by the era dominated by Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He said the prize should be reserved for players capable of producing performances beyond the ordinary, and believes his scoring record in elite club fixtures and at the World Cup meets that threshold.
Ballon d’Or decision still to come
Whether voters place greater value on Mbappe’s personal numbers or the absence of team honours remains unresolved. Until the winner is named, he will continue leading Madrid’s push to end their current wait for a trophy.
