Kylian Mbappe hopes to win his first Ballon d’Or based on individual records despite failing to secure any team trophies last season.
Kylian Mbappe seeks his first Ballon d’Or title this year. He remains confident despite a lack of team trophies. The French star believes his individual records justify the win. He even publicly stated that he would vote for himself.
Next, Mbappe highlights his historic performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He won the Golden Boot for the second time in a row. He also became the highest goalscorer in World Cup history. He now holds 22 goals across his tournament appearances.
Also, his club season with Real Madrid showed impressive individual skill. He finished as the top scorer in La Liga. He also led the Champions League in scoring with 15 goals. Mbappe feels these statistics make a strong case for the award.
However, the forward failed to win any major team trophies last season. Real Madrid finished second in their league and lost in the quarterfinals. France also finished fourth at the World Cup. These results create a difficult path for his candidacy.
Meanwhile, other nominees like Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane secured major team titles. Voters often prioritize team success when choosing the winner. Despite this, Mbappe remains focused on his own contributions. He argues that the award honors individual performance above all else.
Furthermore, his manager Jose Mourinho supports his bid for the prize. Mourinho believes Mbappe made history with his individual play this summer. He suggests that team success should not be the only factor considered.
Still, historical trends show that trophies usually matter for voters. Every winner for the last decade claimed at least one major title. Recent winners like Rodri and Ousmane Dembele both secured team honors during their winning years.
Finally, Mbappe might look to the 2013 season for hope. Cristiano Ronaldo won the award that year without any major team trophies. That win relied purely on his massive goal-scoring numbers. Mbappe hopes voters will value his own brilliance in a similar way.