Mbappé can aim for the Ballon d'Or with Real Madrid

On the eve of Real Madrid's debut Champions League match against Inter, Kylian Mbappé said that this could be the right year to win his first Ballon d'Or, after setting the record as the all‑time top scorer at the 2026 World Cup.

"When you play for Real Madrid, the best club in the world, you are inevitably linked to this kind of individual awards," said the Frenchman, emphasizing the weight of the white shirt. His role as a forward aims to consolidate the club's dominance in Europe.

"When people see me on the street, they talk about me as a potential Ballon d'Or winner. It's true that this summer I made history in the sport's most prestigious competition, so I feel that this could be the right year to win it," added Mbappé. These words were spoken during the pre‑match press conference.

Other candidates for the award

According to Mbappé, among the contenders are Ousmane Dembélé, the 2025 Ballon d'Or winner, and the English striker Harry Kane of Bayern Munich. Other nominees include the Spanish world champion Rodri and the two Paris Saint‑Germain players, Fabian Ruiz and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

In the absence of an undisputed favourite, the race for the Ballon d'Or remains open, with the captain of the French national team among the main contenders. This scenario makes the voting even more uncertain for the experts.

His conviction adds further tension to the debate over the next Ballon d'Or, while the European season has just begun. The next vote, scheduled for the end of the year, will be watched closely.