Real Madrid’s Mbappe confident of Ballon d’Or despite trophyless season

Kylian Mbappé has publicly declared he believes he can win this year’s Ballon d’Or despite not lifting any trophies during his opening two seasons at Real Madrid. In a France Football interview, the forward argued that the award is an individual honour and pointed to his scoring numbers as justification for being considered the world’s best player. Mbappé highlighted his output across major competitions, having scored 15 goals in the Champions League and 25 in La Liga, before increasing his World Cup total to 22. That World Cup tally made him the competition’s all-time leading scorer, a milestone he noted was especially significant because it surpassed Lionel Messi’s mark. France’s campaign at the World Cup ended with a 2-0 defeat to Spain in the semifinals, but Mbappé insisted the context of his goals — scored against top opponents on big stages — should weigh heavily in Ballon d’Or deliberations. He also referenced the standard set during the Messi–Ronaldo era, saying the prize should reward players who stand out from their peers. Mbappé used the interview to praise France’s newly appointed coach, Zinedine Zidane, who took over from Didier Deschamps. He described Zidane as a national icon whose playing career left a lasting imprint on the history of the France team.