Kylian Mbappé: I deserve the Ballon d'Or

Kylian Mbappé says he has strong reasons to claim this year’s Ballon d'Or, even though neither Real Madrid nor France secured major trophies in the past season. The 27-year-old forward discussed his case in an interview with L'Equipe on September 12, 2026.

Mbappé points to goals and records as justification

Mbappé highlighted his individual numbers from the club and European competitions: 25 goals in La Liga and 15 in the UEFA Champions League. He also underlined his World Cup scoring milestone — reaching 22 career goals at the tournament — a total that, the player noted, put him ahead of Lionel Messi and made him the all-time top scorer at World Cups.

Asked about criticism that he has not won major team trophies recently, Mbappé replied that award decisions are never unanimous and that exceptional individual records must be recognised. In the interview he said:

"People say I haven't won a single trophy? I've never seen a Ballon d'Or that unanimously fulfilled absolutely all the criteria. Has anyone ever won the Ballon d'Or with 100 percent of the votes? NO. That means there is always someone who thinks that player didn't deserve it. To be the top scorer in World Cup history is something that is deeply engraved in memory. To be the top scorer in all the most important competitions where the best players play — I don't know if that has ever been achieved. I always start from the principle that historic achievement must be rewarded. When you look at the arguments, when you look at the competition... I tell myself: if I win it, it will not be an unjust decision," Mbappé said.

Mbappé has never won the Ballon d'Or; his best result remains third place in 2023. Now at 27, he says he hopes to finally secure football’s top individual honour.

The comments arrive amid debate over how voters weigh club trophies versus individual records when choosing the Ballon d'Or winner.

Photo: press material from the event