Real Madrid forward, Kylian Mbappe believes 2026 could finally be the year he claims the prestigious Ballon d’Or award.
The France captain made the admission on Monday while speaking to reporters ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League meeting with Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday.
Mbappe acknowledged the strong association between playing for Real Madrid and competing for the individual prize, while leaving the final decision to the journalists who vote for the winner.
“I think when you play for Real Madrid, the best club in the world, people associate you with this award.
“There are many people who speak about me and the Ballon d’Or. Of course, I’ve made history in the most important competition. Maybe it’s a good year for this, but people can vote according to what they think.”
The 27-year-old, who joined Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain, also maintained that he considers himself the best player in the world but said he respects differing opinions.
“I always think I’m the best [player in the world], but everyone has their own opinion. Maybe people think different ways. I don’t think it’s a discussion we need to have.
“Of course, this year could be good for me to win the Ballon d’Or, but journalists vote.”
Mbappe won the 2018 World Cup with France and has continued to produce impressive individual numbers.
He scored 10 goals at the World Cup, taking his tournament tally to a record 22 goals, while also registering 42 goals in 44 appearances for Real Madrid last season.
Despite his personal statistics, Madrid ended the campaign without a major trophy.
His best previous finish in the Ballon d’Or voting came in 2023, when he placed third as a PSG player.
Mbappe is also the all-time leading scorer for both PSG and France, having scored 256 goals in 308 appearances for the French club and 66 goals in 106 matches for his country.
He has added 90 goals in 107 games since moving to Real Madrid.
The forward has won eight consecutive league Golden Boots, including six in Ligue 1 and two in La Liga.
He has also claimed two World Cup Golden Boots and two Champions League Golden Boots.
However, the Champions League remains one of the major honours missing from his collection during his two years at the Bernabéu.
Real Madrid begin their Champions League campaign against Inter, with the Spanish giants looking to challenge reigning champions PSG for European supremacy.
Mbappe was also asked about PSG’s recent success after his departure from the French champions.
“I can’t change it. The truth is that I really don’t care. I know how to analyse football; I know why.
“I don’t know everything about football, but I know more than most.”
