Kylian Mbappé believes he can win the 2026 Ballon d’Or despite Real Madrid and France ending the previous season without a major trophy. The French forward argues that collective achievement matters, but the award should ultimately recognise individual excellence.

“I believe I can win it this year,” Mbappé said. “It’s one of my goals, and a short-term one at that. People say I didn’t win a trophy, but it’s an individual award.”

Mbappé said his view of the award was shaped by the era dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“My idea of the Ballon d’Or comes from the Messi and Ronaldo era—you don’t give it to ordinary players, you give it to players who are different,” he said. “I think I did things that were different this year, so I believe I can win it.”

The Real Madrid forward’s case rests on a remarkable individual campaign. He scored 15 goals in the Champions League and 25 in La Liga before adding 10 more at the World Cup, where he became the competition’s all-time leading scorer with 22 goals despite France’s semi-final defeat by Spain.

Mbappé is among the 30 nominees for the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or and is currently one of the leading contenders in betting markets. Harry Kane remains the favourite after scoring 73 goals in 66 matches for Bayern Munich and England, while Barcelona and Spain winger Lamine Yamal is widely considered Kane’s closest challenger.

Yamal helped Spain win the World Cup and Barcelona win La Liga, but has avoided making a public campaign for the award.

“I don’t think I need to campaign,” Yamal said. “I’m not thinking about what I deserve. Everyone can think what they like. I’m proud of what I’ve done, and I’m not going to beg for anything.”

Mbappé has also made clear that, while the Ballon d’Or is an important personal goal, winning the Champions League with Real Madrid matters more to him.

“I want to win the Champions League here in Madrid more than anything,” he said. “The Ballon d’Or is a great opportunity, but the Champions League is even more important.”