Mbappe Targets Ballon d’Or Glory as Real Madrid Chase Trophies
Kylian Mbappe’s pursuit of a first Ballon d’Or remains tied to Real Madrid’s ability to convert his prolific scoring into collective silverware. The France forward has started the season with 11 goals in 11 appearances in all competitions and returns to Champions League duty on Wednesday, when Jose Mourinho’s Blancos host RB Leipzig.
What changed for the club
Mbappe has continued to deliver at the rate expected of Real Madrid’s leading forward, but his individual output has not been matched by major trophies over the previous two seasons. That absence of team honours is expected to weigh against him in the 2026 Ballon d’Or vote, despite another exceptional year in front of goal.
The 27-year-old finished as La Liga’s leading scorer in 2025-26 and also topped the Champions League scoring chart. He previously won the World Cup Golden Boot while setting further records for France at the tournament.
His wider record already includes becoming Paris Saint-Germain’s all-time top scorer and establishing himself among France’s most significant goalscorers. At Madrid, his numbers have drawn comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo’s output, although the Ballon d’Or has remained beyond him.
Competition context
Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal are regarded as the other leading candidates in the current Golden Ball race. Mbappe’s case is built on his scoring record across domestic, European and international football, but the award has often favoured players whose individual campaigns have been accompanied by major club or national-team trophies.
Gilles Grimandi believes Mbappe’s performances have left little room for personal improvement, with the lack of silverware the principal obstacle. Grimandi said Mbappe had been the leading scorer in the Champions League, at the World Cup and in Spain, but acknowledged that trophies remain a significant factor in the selection.
Grimandi also named Kane, Yamal and Mbappe as possible winners, adding that he would like Kane to receive the prize in recognition of his quality and approach to the game.
Mbappe’s Ballon d’Or ambition was apparent before his senior breakthrough at Monaco. Grimandi recalled visiting the player’s family home with Arsene Wenger when Mbappe was 17 and Arsenal were considering a move for him.
- Wenger told Mbappe’s mother that he did not yet know the teenager well, but had heard from Grimandi that he was an outstanding prospect.
- Mbappe’s mother responded that her son would become a Ballon d’Or winner.
- Grimandi said Mbappe has targeted the award throughout his career and hopes he eventually achieves it.
Even a career of major achievement does not guarantee the honour. Thierry Henry and Andres Iniesta are among the notable players to have missed out on the Ballon d’Or.
What is scheduled next
Real Madrid host RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday, giving Mbappe another European stage on which to strengthen his scoring totals and Madrid’s prospects of the trophy success missing from his recent seasons.
A strong Champions League run would improve both the club’s campaign and Mbappe’s case for individual recognition, with the 2026 Ballon d’Or contest expected to remain closely contested between him, Kane and Yamal.
