Kylian Mbappé has made no secret of his ambition to win the Ballon d’Or for the first time, admitting that 2026 could finally be the year he gets his hands on the prestigious individual award.

The Real Madrid forward spoke about his Ballon d’Or hopes ahead of Los Blancos’ UEFA Champions League opener against Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday.

Mbappé enters another season of club football after an outstanding FIFA World Cup, where he claimed the Golden Boot with 10 goals and became the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 22 goals.

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“There are many people who speak about me and the Ballon d'Or. Of course I've made history in the most important competition. Maybe it's a good year for this, but people can vote according to what they think,” Mbappé commented.

Mbappé Makes Ballon d’Or Ambition Clear

The Frenchman, who has finished as high as third in the Ballon d’Or voting in 2023, believes playing for Real Madrid naturally puts him among the leading contenders for the prize.

“I think when you play for Real Madrid, the best club in the world, people automatically associate you with this award,” he added.

“I always think I'm the best, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.”

Mbappé also refused to directly compare himself with the other leading candidates, insisting that his qualities make him different from his rivals.

“I don't like making comparisons because I do a lot of things that others don't,” he said. “If we get into that it becomes an endless debate, you know?”

World Cup Heroics Strengthen Mbappé’s Case

The performances of Mbappé during the FIFA World Cup 2026 greatly strengthened his case. His goal tally of 10 placed him as the top scorer of that tournament, and in the same process surpassed Lionel Messi to take the record as the all-time top scorer of the tournament with 22 goals.

He had a brilliant first season with Real Madrid, with 42 goals in 44 games played at the club, although they ended the last season trophyless.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony is set to take place on October 26 in London. Among the candidates is the current winner, Ousmane Dembélé, along with others like Harry Kane, a striker from Bayern, and young Lamine Yamal from Barcelona.

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Mbappé Eyes Champions League Statement Against Inter

The Ballon d’Or discussion comes as Mbappé prepares for another major test. Real Madrid host Inter in their Champions League opener, with Mourinho beginning his second spell at the club in Europe's elite competition.

Madrid suffered a 1-0 defeat to Real Betis in their previous outing, with Mbappé missing a stoppage-time penalty.

Now, the French superstar will have an opportunity to respond on the biggest stage as Real Madrid begin their European campaign against Chivu’s Inter.