Kylian Mbappé: Aiming for Ballon d’Or Glory as He Seeks World Cup Triumph

omidbasir- Kylian Mbappé captured the world’s attention as a teenager in 2018 and showcased his remarkable talent again in 2022, scoring a hat-trick in the final as France narrowly lost to Lionel Messi and Argentina. Now, he is resolute in his mission to lead his country in pursuit of World Cup glory in 2026.

If Didier Deschamps’ team emerges victorious, Mbappé—who is on track to become France’s all-time leading goal-scorer—would solidify his status as a serious contender for the coveted Ballon d’Or. Despite being touted as a potential winner for some time, the prestigious award has remained elusive for him. At 27, however, experts like Bacary Sagna believe that the time for his breakthrough is nearing.

When asked whether Mbappé will finally secure a Golden Ball or if he is destined to miss out, Sagna, while speaking in association with Parimatch Online Casino, stated, “He will win it. I believe this is the right season for him to achieve that. I anticipate a strong showing at the World Cup with the France national team, and a successful Champions League campaign with Real Madrid. Personally, he is already excelling and is in prime form. Unless he has a disastrous World Cup—which I doubt—this could be his season for the Ballon d’Or.”

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This season, Mbappé has already netted 34 goals for Real Madrid across 28 appearances, significantly contributing to their La Liga title aspirations. Fellow World Cup champion Frank Leboeuf also hopes to see Mbappé recognized with the Ballon d’Or, calling him a true ‘Galactico.’

Leboeuf expressed his mixed feelings about the award itself, stating, “I don’t hold the Ballon d’Or in high regard, as it doesn’t necessarily signify the best player. If Mbappé wins it, does that imply he is the best defender? Clearly, he’s not! It should be termed the MVP, or Most Valuable Player, as such players draw audiences to games. However, I genuinely wish for Mbappé to receive the Ballon d’Or because he is phenomenal. Yet, the competition is fierce; it will be challenging for him and Erling Haaland to clinch it in the coming years.”

The current holder of the Ballon d’Or is French forward Ousmane Dembélé, who had an impressive 2024-25 season, netting 35 goals and leading Paris Saint-Germain to Champions League glory, part of a historic treble. However, Sagna believes that Dembélé may struggle to replicate that success in the future, stating, “He had an exceptional year, but maintaining that level physically is difficult. I doubt he will win it again, especially given his injury troubles. Consistency is key, and the primary contenders moving forward will be Mbappé and Haaland. Winning back-to-back is inherently challenging.”

Only seven players in history have won the Ballon d’Or consecutively, including football legends Johan Cruyff, Kevin Keegan, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo. There is still ample time for Mbappé to join this illustrious group of all-time greats.