Real Madrid’s PR push backs Kylian Mbappe’s Ballon d’Or hopes

Real Madrid’s full‑throttle PR push for Kylian Mbappe’s Ballon d’Or underlines the club’s attempt to reshape the award narrative, even though the French striker remains an outsider. Mourinho and former Ballon d’Or runner‑up Henry have publicly backed the campaign, adding weight to the debate.

Madrid’s campaign explained

Real Madrid are putting all their weight behind a PR campaign for Kylian Mbappe to win the Ballon d’Or, despite him not being one of the favourites. The club’s supporters are overlooking national pride after Spain won the World Cup in a year that featured no Real Madrid players. By backing Mbappe, Madrid signals a collective focus on individual glory rather than national achievement.

A trophyless season for Real Madrid, coupled with France’s failure to win the World Cup, has lessened Mbappe’s chances of convincing everyone that he’d be a worthy winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or. Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal are among the favourites, having actually won trophies with their teams. Their recent successes contrast with Mbappe’s lack of silverware this campaign.

Mbappe was confirmed on the 30‑man shortlist, keeping his name in the conversation. The main arguments for him are that he was the World Cup’s top scorer – not only for the 2026 tournament but now for all time – and the Champions League’s top scorer last season. Nevertheless, trophies carry heavy weighting on the Ballon d’Or, especially in an international tournament year.

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“The best players in the world, there are two, three or four of them, and we know who they are: they’re here,” Mourinho said towards the end of August. He added, “For me, there is one who, individually, made history this summer… You cannot give the Ballon d’Or to a player simply because he won the Champions League or the World Cup.” Mourinho’s return to Madrid has quickly clarified which side he intends to support.

Opposing views and other candidates

Henry, a former Ballon d’Or runner‑up, voiced his support on CBS, stating “It’s Kylian Mbappe” and listing his individual achievements as top scorer in the Champions League, LaLiga and the World Cup. He also mentioned Michael Olise’s assist record and noted that Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and others remain strong candidates. The pundit highlighted that the competition is more complicated this year than last.

Konate, speaking on the day of Real Madrid’s 2026‑27 Champions League opener against Inter Milan, said “For me, Kylian Mbappé should win the Ballon d’Or” and added that the dressing‑room rarely discusses the award. His comment reflects the solidarity among the French players at the club, even though they have only been teammates for a few weeks.

Eto'o backs Lamine Yamal for the Ballon d'Or in London

The campaign will continue as the voting period approaches, with Mbappe still on the shortlist but facing stiff competition from Kane, Yamal and other favourites. Whether Madrid’s PR effort can sway the voters remains to be seen, leaving the final outcome uncertain.