Two of the world’s greatest footballers, Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior, both playing for Real Madrid, are strong contenders for the prestigious Ballon d’Or. As the competition for this coveted trophy heats up, the Realdemadrid editorial team analyses which of these two stars could claim the title first.
The Ballon d’Or is undoubtedly the most prestigious individual award in football. Every year, it recognises the best player on the planet. This year, Vinicius Junior narrowly missed out on the 2024 Ballon d’Or due to the bizarre voting choices of France Football’s voters. While Kylian Mbappé was not seriously in contention for last year’s award, which will go down as one of the most controversial editions in history, he has now positioned himself as a top contender thanks to his arrival at Real Madrid, the ultimate club for fulfilling players’ dreams.
With Real Madrid now boasting two key players at the peak of their powers, each with strong credentials for this honour, we’ve attempted to determine who might win the Ballon d’Or first.
Kylian Mbappé: The French talent aiming for the 2025 Ballon d’Or
At just 26 years old, Mbappé already boasts an impressive trophy cabinet. A World Cup winner with France in 2018, the former PSG star secured numerous domestic titles with Paris Saint-Germain before joining Real Madrid. Within just a few months in the Spanish capital, he has already scored 14 goals in around 20 matches. Despite the challenges of adapting to a new environment, the 2018 World Cup champion is delivering stellar statistics. With his speed, technique, and goal-scoring prowess, he is beginning to find his feet at Real. In December, when he was named Real Madrid’s Player of the Month, KM9 went on a scoring spree.
Heading into the new year, with the 69th edition of the Ballon d’Or approaching, the Bondy native has promised trophies to the Madrid faithful. As reported by L’Équipe in October, during a period when he missed national team duties, Kylian Mbappé is clearly targeting the next Ballon d’Or. Based on his recent performances and determination, everything seems to be aligning for the French striker, who will still need to outperform Vinicius Junior, currently regarded as the world’s best player.
Vinicius Junior: The 2024 Ballon d’Or snub who won’t give up
Despite being just 24 years old, the Brazilian star spares no effort to showcase his immense talent. Following an exceptional season, scoring decisive goals to help Real Madrid win both La Liga and the Champions League, Vinicius Junior was narrowly beaten by Rodri in the 2024 Ballon d’Or race. While many unanimously predicted the Brazilian sensation would win the award, the France Football jury shocked everyone, seemingly for reasons unrelated to football, and unfairly undervalued the Brazilian star.
To confirm the controversy, the unexpected winner, Rodri, faced widespread criticism from leading football figures. During the FIFA The Best and Globe Soccer Awards, it was Vini who was crowned Player of the Year. At the peak of his game, the Brazilian international is determined to give even more in pursuit of the Ballon d’Or, the most coveted trophy for football’s elite.
Has Vinicius missed his chance?
While Vinicius has the determination, Kylian Mbappé’s arrival could complicate matters for him. Hugely popular and recognised as one of the best players, Mbappé is also a master of public relations. KM9 appears poised to be the next Real Madrid player to clinch the Ballon d’Or. Following Vinicius Junior’s missed opportunity, attributed partly to his impulsive character—a trait criticised by several Madrid legends, including Sami Khedira—Mbappé has every chance of becoming the first Real Madrid Ballon d’Or winner since Karim Benzema in 2022.
Currently the top scorer for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, the 26-year-old forward could finish the season with around 30 goals. Hailed as one of the best strikers of the ball alongside Federico Valverde, according to LaLiga, KM9 is on track to achieve his individual goals. Alongside his goal-scoring exploits, he could also win the same titles as Vinicius Junior. With the added spotlight of playing for the French national team, the former Parisian is clearly a strong candidate for the accolade that Vini narrowly missed in October.
Who do you think will win the Ballon d’Or first, Vinicius Junior or Kylian Mbappé? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
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