Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has set his sights on winning his first Ballon d'Or as the October gala approaches. Mbappe, 27, netted 42 goals in 44 games for his club last season but couldn't lead them to any titles.
Mbappe's interview appeared on Ballondor.com, and a clip was posted by the outlet on Instagram with the caption, "I believe I can win the Ballon d'Or this year." For Mbappe, the year has turned out to be rewarding, as he bagged the World Cup Golden Boot with 10 goals, bringing his career World Cup count to 22.
"I think when you play for Real Madrid, the best club in the world, people associate you with this award," Mbappe mused ahead of the big night in London next month. Mbappe finished third in the Ballon d'Or rankings in 2023 when he played for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
This year's top three front-runners for the Ballon d'Or award are England captain Harry Kane, Spanish phenom Lamine Yamal, and French superstar Kylian Mbappe. The highly anticipated Ballon d'Or award ceremony is scheduled to take place in London on Monday, October 26, 2026.