Real Madrid plan high‑profile push to tip 2026 Ballon d’Or for Mbappe

Real Madrid will mount a coordinated push for Kylian Mbappe in the close‑fought 2026 Ballon d’Or, echoing past support for Cristiano Ronaldo. Club legends will back Mbappe against Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane.

Mbappe’s candidacy and Madrid’s backing

Kylian Mbappe has emerged as one of the favourites for the 2026 Ballon d’Or after an incredible individual season, and Los Blancos have signalled they will not leave their superstar to fight alone. The club’s intention is to give the French forward a major boost as the award draws nearer.

Real Madrid have repeatedly demonstrated that when they believe a player deserves the prize, they mobilise the institution to amplify the message, according to L’Equipe. Historic Madrid figures are routinely called upon to publicly reinforce the case in the weeks leading up to the vote.

Mbappe has already made his own case publicly, but the club can magnify that narrative considerably. When numerous voices within a club of Madrid’s size repeat the same endorsement, the candidate stays at the centre of the conversation.

Joao Felix crowns Lamine Yamal as Ballon d’Or favourite over Kane and Mbappe

Historical precedent and possible impact

The club’s most recent blueprint comes from Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2013 campaign, when Madrid promoted his individual case despite him not winning a major team trophy that season. Ronaldo ultimately secured the Ballon d’Or with 27.99 percent of the vote.

Alfredo Di Stefano, Emilio Butragueno, Carlo Ancelotti, Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos were among the prominent voices who championed Ronaldo. Franck Ribery, who entered the same race after winning the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup with Bayern Munich, did not receive the same unified backing, partly because Arjen Robben was also a candidate.

Ronaldo’s victory came ahead of Lionel Messi’s 24.72 percent and Ribery’s 23.36 percent, illustrating how a coordinated push can tip a close contest. Madrid could repeat that trick with Mbappe this year.

Lamine Yamal makes new claim for Ballon d'Or, some enjoy it

Campaigning cannot manufacture a Ballon d’Or‑winning season, and voters will ultimately judge Mbappe against Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane and other leading candidates. In a tight race, however, Madrid’s concerted push could sway a few votes in the Frenchman’s favour.