Kylian Mbappé continues to write the history of world football with stratospheric performances. Author of a sensational last season in the Real Madrid jersey with 42 goals scored in 44 matches in all competitions last season, the French striker confirmed that he was one of the best players in the world during the last World Cup. Top scorer of the 2026 tournament, he became the top scorer in the history of the competition with 22 points. A record and a new status which allowed him to proclaim loudly this week that he deserved to win the Ballon d’Or this year. Still without the Grail at 27, the Bondynois is growing impatient and believes, rightly, that he deserves to win the most precious individual distinction. An assertion which earned him a flood of criticism across Europe.
While these were simply extracts from his interview given to France Football which had been released until then, the full interview appeared this Friday evening. The opportunity for Mbappé to justify his conviction with his vision of the supreme distinction, a trophy that he considers designed for players capable of marking their era with extraordinary talent: “I always had the idea that the Ballon d’Or should reward a different player. Of course there is the collective framework, it is important. Football is a team sport. But it’s an individual trophy. And the idea I have of the Ballon d’Or is that of the Messi and Ronaldo era. We never give it to standard players, but to different players. And I think I’ve done some different things this year. So, I consider that I can win it. (…) some years, I considered that I was the best player in the world. I didn’t see a player stronger than me. Afterwards, when Messi arrived at the ceremony and won, I said the best player is on the stage. No problem. When Cristiano won, I said the same thing… For others, I watched and, even with a Ballon d’Or, I never exchange with him. But it’s a beautiful thing because it nourishes a path, a storytelling.»
Kylian Mbappé: “for the Ballon d’Or this year, I have a great opportunity»
The captain of the Blues also discusses the absence of the Ballon d’Or in his record so far, highlighting the hegemony imposed by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for more than a decade. For him, this exceptional competition prevented him from achieving his dream sooner: “yeah, but ten years ago, we didn’t say that Messi could play until he was 39 and that he was going to take another three years. With Cristiano they didn’t leave much. And then, there were times when the votes went for the best player on the best team, and not necessarily for the best player in the world.» Asked about the Ballon d’Or obtained by Ousmane Dembélé last season and the fact that Dembouz won this award before him, Mbappé showed fair play with his friend: “Dembele? But he was always seen as a talented player. I have always been seen as the chosen one. I was immediately on top, very early. He had a different journey, injuries, but he recovered well!»
After a week marked by his declarations full of confidence as to the fact that the Ballon d’Or is rightfully his this season, Mbappé concluded by reiterating that he thought he had a great opportunity to achieve his goal this year. And even if he has to end his career without the Ballon d’Or, the former Monaco player wants to make an impression and win the Ballon d’Or this season as he is convinced of deserving it: “if Kylian Mbappé can imagine finishing without the Champions League or Balllon d’Or? Yeah. It’s won on the ground. Well, the Ballon d’Or, there are votes too. But, before looking ten years from now, we must look right away. For the Ballon d’Or this year, I have a great opportunity.» This is what is said.
