Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho believes Kylian Mbappe deserves to win the Ballon d’Or, arguing the award should recognize the world’s best individual player rather than simply go to someone who lifted the World Cup or Champions League.
Mourinho made the case for his star forward Saturday ahead of Real Madrid’s La Liga match against promoted Malaga, pointing to Mbappe’s record-breaking World Cup campaign and his individual dominance despite a lack of major team trophies.
“The best players in the world, there are two, three or four of them, and we know who they are: They’re here,” Mourinho told reporters.
“For me there is one who, individually, made history this summer.”
Mourinho was referring to Mbappe becoming the leading scorer in World Cup history during France’s title-winning campaign. The 27-year-old finished the tournament with 10 goals, taking his career total to 22 and moving one ahead of Lionel Messi. Both players had already surpassed Miroslav Klose’s previous record of 16.
Mbappe is among the leading candidates for this year’s Ballon d’Or after another prolific season. He finished as the top scorer in La Liga, the Champions League and the World Cup, although he did not win any of those major competitions.
His main rivals include England striker Harry Kane, Spain midfielder and World Cup winner Rodri, and Paris Saint-Germain forwards Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
“You cannot give the Ballon d’Or to a player simply because he won the Champions League or the World Cup,” Mourinho said.
“For me, the Ballon d’Or should go to one of those players who, when they retire, will be missed forever. Maradona, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo Nazario, Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Zidane...”
Mourinho said team trophies should be recognized separately from individual excellence.
“If we want to reward the Champions League, then give it to Luis Enrique. For the Spanish national team, give it to Luis de la Fuente,” he said. “The best player in the world is something else.”
Mbappe has wasted little time making his case on the field.
The France captain leads La Liga’s scoring charts after the opening two rounds, having scored a hat trick in Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad on Wednesday.
The performance gave Madrid a second league win in as many games and continued Mbappe’s remarkable scoring run since joining the Spanish giants from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024.
He has already won the La Liga scoring title in each of his first two seasons at the club and has scored 86 goals in 103 appearances for Madrid.
But Mourinho insists there is more to Mbappe’s role than adding to those numbers.
“I prefer 40 with titles than 60 without titles,” Mourinho said. “I prefer 40 with a lot of work for the team than 60 just playing for himself, as often happens with forwards.”
Mourinho stressed that the comments were not a criticism of Mbappe, whose work rate has impressed him during the opening weeks of the season.
“I’m very happy with him,” Mourinho said. “From a technical standpoint, there’s obviously nothing to say, but in terms of helping the group grow, taking responsibility, working...”
He also highlighted Mbappe’s commitment during preseason, saying the forward arrived two days early.
“Two days early in that preseason period can mean something positive,” Mourinho said.
For Mourinho, getting Mbappe to contribute beyond his goals could be crucial as Madrid look to turn their individual quality into collective success.
Mbappe’s arrival was expected to usher in a new era of dominance at Real Madrid, but the club has struggled to match the expectations surrounding its star-studded squad.
Since Mbappe left PSG in 2024, his former club have gone on to win the Champions League twice, while Barcelona have captured both La Liga titles during that period.
Madrid failed to win a major trophy last season, leaving Mbappe with the 2024 UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup as his only silverware with the club.
His individual numbers, however, have remained extraordinary.
Now, with another season barely underway, Mbappe has already emerged as one of the central figures in Madrid’s pursuit of a return to the top.
“This year, we have to win, that’s what we all want, and that’s what we’re going to do,” Mbappe said on Real Madrid TV at the start of the season.
Mourinho believes the answer will not simply be giving Mbappe more freedom to score.
“I always say that with these players, you have to teach them to play as a team and teach them very little from an individual perspective,” he said.
The veteran Portuguese coach has inherited a squad packed with elite talent and will be tasked with turning that talent into a cohesive team after a turbulent 2025-26 campaign in which Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa both left the coaching position.
Mbappe’s goals helped keep Madrid competitive during that difficult season, but Mourinho wants the French forward and his teammates to go further this time.
“He made history in the World Cup because there are 25 world champion players, but only one is eternal in football, the player who has the most goals in the World Cup,” Mourinho said.
“I see him really hungry to make history with Real Madrid.”
Malaga will be the next test Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Mbappe looking to add to his league-leading tally.
