Kylian Mbappe believes his remarkable individual numbers could put him in a strong position for the Ballon d’Or, despite ending last season without a major trophy for club or country.
The France and Real Madrid forward was the leading scorer at the World Cup, in LaLiga and in the Champions League, and the 27-year-old is confident his performances will resonate with voters.
“They won't announce a team in the envelope, they will announce a player,” Mbappe told RFI.
“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.”
Mbappe scored 25 goals in LaLiga last season and added 15 in the Champions League. He then struck 10 times at the World Cup, taking his career tally at the tournament to 22 goals and becoming its all-time leading scorer.
However, those individual achievements did not translate into major silverware.
France were eliminated in the World Cup semi-finals, while Real Madrid finished second in LaLiga and were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
Mbappe is among several prominent contenders for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, including players who combined individual performances with major team honours.
Spain duo Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres won both LaLiga with Barcelona and the World Cup, while Paris Saint-Germain pair Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia lifted the Ligue 1 and Champions League titles.
Harry Kane also enjoyed a trophy-winning campaign, helping Bayern Munich claim the Bundesliga.
The Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London on 26 October.
