Mbappe Defies Odds in Ballon d'Or Race Despite Trophyless Campaign
Kylian Mbappe seeks to secure the prestigious award based on individual records and World Cup dominance, even without a team trophy to his name.
By Alina Campbell ·
The soccer world gathers in London on Monday for the Ballon d'Or ceremony, a moment that defines the status of the game's elite. While the prize carries no cash value, it significantly elevates a player's market worth and global standing. Kylian Mbappe enters the event as a strong contender, despite not being the bookmakers' favorite or the top scorer in every competition last season.
The 2025-26 campaign concluded with a notable absence of silverware for Mbappe at both the club and international levels. Real Madrid finished second in La Liga and exited the Champions League in the quarterfinals against Bayern Munich. France also fell short in North America, placing fourth at the World Cup after losses to Spain and England. Despite this lack of team success, Mbappe has campaigned vigorously for the honor, citing a suite of individual records.
His most compelling argument stems from the 2026 World Cup. Mbappe won the Golden Boot for the second consecutive tournament and claimed the record for the most goals in World Cup history. He finished with 22 goals in 22 matches, surpassing Lionel Messi's 21 and Miroslav Klose's 16. "Being the all-time top scorer in World Cup history, overtaking all the great legends in the history of the sport in the most important tournament there is, is something that really stands out," Mbappe said last month. When asked who he is voting for, he replied: "Myself."
His club performance was equally dominant. The former PSG forward led La Liga in scoring with 25 goals and topped the Champions League charts with 15. "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," he stated. This statistical consistency forms the core of his bid, even as his team navigated managerial changes under Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.
The primary weakness in his case is the lack of trophies, a factor that has historically weighed heavily on voters. Rival contenders fared better in terms of silverware. Lamine Yamal won the World Cup with Spain and the league title with Barcelona. Harry Kane collected three trophies for Bayern Munich, including the Bundesliga championship. These achievements give their supporters a stronger narrative of collective success.
Mbappe remains unconcerned by these comparisons. He told radio station RFI, "They won't announce a team in the envelope; they will announce a player." He believes that individual brilliance and eye-catching moments are the key metrics for this specific award. His manager, Jose Mourinho, has also voiced support. "We know who has made history this summer, and he's not from PSG or the Spanish national team," Mourinho noted, reinforcing the argument that Mbappe stands apart from his peers.
Historical precedent suggests the odds are stacked against him. Over the past decade, every Ballon d'Or winner lifted at least one major trophy during the qualifying period. Ousmane Dembele won in 2025 after helping PSG secure their first Champions League title. Rodri won two years prior after leading Spain to Euro 2024 glory and Manchester City to the Premier League. This trend makes a trophyless victory rare.
However, there is one notable exception from 2013. Cristiano Ronaldo won the award without a major team trophy, ending Lionel Messi's four-year streak. Ronaldo scored 66 goals that season, while Portugal struggled in World Cup qualifying and Real Madrid finished second in the league. This precedent offers hope for Mbappe. After nine nominations and a third-place finish in 2023, many believe his moment is long overdue.
The ceremony will reveal whether individual statistics can finally overcome the traditional emphasis on team success. If the voters follow the path of 2013, Mbappe will claim the prize based on his historic goal-scoring feats. If they stick to the recent trend, the award will likely go to a player with a cabinet of trophies. The result will signal a shift in how the footballing world values individual dominance versus collective achievement.
