Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has set his sights on the 2026 Ballon d’Or, describing the year as a prime opportunity to secure the prestigious individual honor. Despite his optimism, the Frenchman acknowledged that the final decision rests with the journalists tasked with voting for the award. During recent comments, Mbappe also asserted his belief that he is currently the best player in the world, noting that he holds no animosity toward those who may disagree with his assessment.
The striker’s confidence follows a standout 2025-26 campaign where he established himself as a dominant force. Across 44 appearances for Real Madrid, he netted 42 goals and provided seven assists, finishing as the top scorer in both LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League. Furthermore, he topped the scoring charts at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 10 goals. Despite these individual accolades, his lack of collective silverware with both Real Madrid and France during the previous calendar year has cast some doubt on his prospects for the trophy.
Mbappe’s history with the award has been mixed. At the 2025 ceremony in Paris, he finished seventh with 378 points, an event notably boycotted by Real Madrid. That season, his debut in LaLiga saw him score 31 goals in 34 league games, contributing to a total of 44 goals and five assists across 59 matches in all competitions. Despite these high-level attacking statistics, he finished outside the top three, trailing behind players such as Ousmane Dembele, Lamine Yamal, and Vitinha.
While his performance levels reached new heights during the 2025-26 term, industry analysts suggest his path to the 2026 Ballon d’Or remains challenging. Nevertheless, the forward remains firmly in contention for the prize as he continues to lead the line for the Spanish giants. The report also notes that kylian Mbappe makes feelings clear about winning 2026 Ballon d’Or as he makes ‘best player in the world’ statement.
