Kylian Mbappe backs himself for Ballon d’Or win, but says voters will decide

Kylian Mbappe said he considers himself to be the best soccer player in the world and thinks this is "a good year" to win the Ballon d'Or, even if he feels voters have other options.

The France forward scored 10 goals at the 2026 World Cup, becoming the tournament's all-time leading scorer, and was also the top scorer in La Liga, scoring 25 goals for Real Madrid. But with France finishing fourth at the World Cup and Real Madrid failing to lift any major trophies, Mbappe knows some voters will look elsewhere when selecting their top pick for the prize.

"I think when you play for Real Madrid, which is the best club in the world, people naturally associate this team with awards, with team prizes, individual awards," Mbappe said ahead of Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League match with Inter Milan. "Of course, a lot of people when I see them in the street they speak to me about the Ballon d’Or, a lot of people talk about me as a possible Ballon d’Or winner. It’s true that it’s a prize that is a really positive thing for every player.

"Of course, I made a lot of history this summer…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/