Kylian Mbappe believes his individual performances have strengthened his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or after finishing as the top scorer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and setting a new tournament scoring record.
The France captain scored 10 goals at the World Cup and also finished as the leading scorer in both La Liga and the Champions League last season, despite ending the campaign without a major trophy with France or Real Madrid.
The Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London on October 26.
Mbappe backs individual record
Mbappe said individual performances should carry significant weight in determining the winner of the prestigious individual award.
‘They won’t announce a team in the envelope; they will announce a player,’ Mbappe told RFI radio.
‘The ability to perform individually and produce eye-catching moments, that’s what stands out to people for an award like this.
‘I was top scorer in all the biggest competitions, and I think that this could be a good year for me, and I really feel it.’
The 27-year-old Real Madrid forward scored 25 La Liga goals last season and added 15 in the Champions League before scoring 10 at the World Cup.
His World Cup tally took his career total in the competition to 22 goals, making him the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.
Mbappé faces strong competition
Mbappé’s individual numbers come despite a trophyless campaign.
France were eliminated in the World Cup semi-finals, while Real Madrid finished second in La Liga and were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
He faces competition from several players who combined individual performances with major team success in 2026.
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres won La Liga and the World Cup, while Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia won Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane also enjoyed a successful campaign after helping the German club win the Bundesliga.
The Ballon d’Or winner will be announced in London on October 26, with Mbappé’s individual scoring record set to form a central part of his case.