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Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho said that Kylian Mbappé deserves to win this year’s Ballon d’Or, insisting voters should honour “the best player in the world” rather than focusing solely on major trophies.
Speaking ahead of Madrid’s La Liga clash against Malaga, Mourinho argued that individual brilliance outweighs team victories in the World Cup or Champions League.
He highlighted Mbappé’s historic summer performance, where the France captain became the all-time top scorer in World Cup history.
Mbappé remains a top contender for the prestigious honour after finishing last season as the leading goalscorer in La Liga, the Champions League, and the 2026 World Cup.
He faces stiff competition from England striker Harry Kane, Spanish World Cup winner Rodri, and Paris Saint-Germain’s European Champions Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Despite missing out on major titles last term, Mbappé demonstrated his elite form by netting a hat-trick during Wednesday’s 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad.
Mourinho criticised the practice of awarding the Ballon d’Or based strictly on team trophies, stating that managers like Luis Enrique or Luis De la Fuente should receive credit for tournament wins instead.
He placed Mbappé alongside legendary figures like Maradona, Pelé, and Messi, who leave an indelible legacy on the sport.
The Portuguese manager emphasised that the true best player in the world currently plays for Real Madrid rather than PSG or the Spanish national team.
