Ballon d’Or: the detail that changes everything for Mbappé

As the countdown to the 2026 Ballon d’Or continues, one name dominates every debate: Kylian Mbappé. For many observers, the French superstar has been the best individual player in world football over the past season. Others, however, believe that his lack of major team trophies should prevent him from lifting the most prestigious individual award in the sport.

The question is simple but controversial: must a player win the biggest titles to deserve the Ballon d’Or? Mbappé’s case has divided fans, journalists, and former players alike. Despite an extraordinary campaign with Real Madrid and France, he failed to win La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, or the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Yet he remains one of the leading favorites to claim the trophy in London this October.

History suggests that winning major silverware has never been an absolute requirement. One of the clearest examples came in 2013, when Cristiano Ronaldo won the Ballon d’Or despite Real Madrid ending the season without La Liga, the Champions League, or the Copa del Rey. His individual brilliance outweighed the lack of collective success. Meanwhile, Franck Ribéry had enjoyed a historic treble-winning campaign with Bayern Munich, but the voters ultimately rewarded Ronaldo’s extraordinary personal performances instead.

There is another important precedent. In 2000, Luis Figo captured the Ballon d’Or after spending almost the entire season with Barcelona, a club that failed to win any major trophy. Although his team finished the campaign empty-handed, Figo’s exceptional consistency and influence convinced voters that he had been the best player in the world. Once again, individual excellence proved more decisive than a crowded trophy cabinet.

Mbappé’s 2025-26 season offers an equally compelling case. The Real Madrid forward finished as La Liga’s top scorer with 25 goals, the Champions League’s leading scorer with 15 goals, and the top scorer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 10 goals. He even broke the record for the most goals scored in a single edition of the tournament. No other Ballon d’Or contender managed to dominate the three biggest competitions in world football with such remarkable consistency.

Those achievements make his candidacy difficult to ignore. While other favorites enjoyed strong seasons, none matched Mbappé’s scoring output across domestic, European, and international competitions. His ability to deliver against elite opposition week after week has strengthened the argument that individual brilliance should carry significant weight in the voting process, regardless of whether his teams ultimately lifted the biggest trophies.

Of course, the absence of silverware will inevitably be discussed by Ballon d’Or voters. World Cup years traditionally place extra emphasis on international success, and France’s failure to win the tournament could count against Mbappé. Likewise, Real Madrid’s inability to secure either La Liga or the Champions League leaves a noticeable gap in his résumé. Critics argue that the world’s best player should also inspire his team to the most prestigious titles.

LaLiga Golden Boot. ✅
Champions League Golden Boot. ✅
FIFA World Cup Golden Boot. ✅

If there’s ever been a season that screams Ballon d’Or for Kylian Mbappe, it’s this one.

Kylian Mbappé. 🐐🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/lLbiOfmOtq

— Speedline (@speedlne) July 26, 2026

However, there is another factor working in Mbappé’s favor: the absence of a clear alternative. Unlike previous years, the 2026 Ballon d’Or race appears unusually open. Several candidates have enjoyed outstanding campaigns, but none has emerged as an undisputed favorite. That could lead to a split vote, allowing Mbappé’s extraordinary statistical dominance to stand out even more strongly than it otherwise would.

If voters follow the same philosophy they adopted in 2013 with Cristiano Ronaldo—placing individual excellence above collective achievements—Kylian Mbappé has every reason to believe that his long-awaited first Ballon d’Or is within reach. His record-breaking goalscoring season has already secured his place among football’s elite. The final verdict will arrive on Monday, October 26, when the football world gathers in London to discover whether the French superstar will finally receive the game’s highest individual honor.