Kylian Mbappé don already show say e be one of soccer brightest young stars before e even make him first Ballon d'Or shortlist. The 2018 World Cup for Russia na where the Frenchman truly step onto global stage, and e play big role as France waka reach trophy. Him performances earn am Kopa Trophy, while people already dey talk say Mbappé go win plenty Ballons d’Or before him career finish. Him status as generation-defining talent never change—e even strong him case by continue to break records with Real Madrid.
So how Mbappé actually fare for Ballon d’Or race so far? Kylian Mbappé don get nomination for Ballon d’Or nine times, with him latest inclusion for 2026 edition. Mbappé first make shortlist for 2017, and e become youngest-ever Ballon d’Or nominee at that time. The teenager enjoy remarkable breakthrough campaign with Monaco, help club win Ligue 1 and reach Champions League semifinals before e earn blockbuster move to Paris Saint-Germain that summer. Lamine Yamal later break him record, as e become youngest nominee for 2024.
Mbappé don remain regular among world elite ever since, earning nominations for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. The 2020 award cancel, meaning no Ballon d’Or nomination that year. Despite him extraordinary career to date, Mbappé still dey wait for him first Ballon d’Or. Him best finish come for 2023, when e place third for voting while e still dey Paris Saint-Germain.
After e join Real Madrid for 2024, Mbappé enjoy prolific first season for Bernabéu, scoring club-record 44 goals. But that form no enough to secure higher finish for Ballon d’Or rankings, as e come seventh for voting, behind Achraf Hakimi, Raphinha, Mohamed Salah, Vitinha, Lamine Yamal and eventual winner Ousmane Dembélé. The voting record show 2017: 48 points, 7th; 2018: 347 points, 4th; 2019: 89 points, 6th; 2020: N/A; 2021: 58 points, 9th; 2022: 85 points, 6th; 2023: 270 points, 3rd; 2024: 420 points, 6th; 2025: 378 points, 7th.
Meanwhile, Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid goalkeeper, don pick him candidate for Ballon d’Or. Courtois stay for Valdebebas during current international break. The Belgian strike agreement to rest from international duties after World Cup and focus solely on Real Madrid. Speaking to Onda Cero, the Belgian cover current situation for club and plenty more. Him pick for Ballon d’Or leave little room for doubt: E get to go to Mbappé; everybody dey amazed by him speed and him goals. The Ballon d’Or suppose go to best player, not to person wey win more titles than others. And based on this logic, Carvajal suppose don win am two years ago.
On other main contenders, Courtois add: I really admire Raphinha, he be very important player for him team, and he score plenty goals, perhaps he no get recognition wey he deserve. We get to stop him during Clasico.
