Jose Mourinho endorses Kylian Mbappé for the 2026 Ballon d'Or award

Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho publicly endorsed forward Kylian Mbappé on Saturday for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. Speaking at a press conference before Sunday's league fixture against Malaga, the 63-year-old manager stated that football's most prestigious individual award must go to the best player in the world rather than simply following collective silverware. Mourinho returned to the Madrid dugout in June 2026 and placed his forward among the elite group of players currently active at the club. The Portuguese coach emphasized that voter criteria should prioritize individual talent and performances over team titles such as the Champions League or the World Cup.

The best players in the world, there are two, three or four of them, and we know who they are: they're here.

Individual scoring records versus team honours

Mbappé finished the previous season as the top goalscorer across three separate competitions: La Liga, the Champions League, and the 2026 World Cup. During the tournament in the summer, the 27-year-old French national team captain became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. However, Mbappé concluded the club campaign without securing a trophy with Real Madrid. The forward faces competition from several players who secured tournament titles, including Spain midfielder and World Cup winner Rodri, England striker Harry Kane, and Paris Saint-Germain's European champions Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Mourinho argued that tournament triumphs reflect managerial success rather than individual superiority on the pitch.

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. The best player in the world is something else, and he is neither at PSG nor in the Spain team.

Comparisons with football icons

Mourinho expanded on his definition of Ballon d'Or recipients by comparing Mbappé to previous icons of the sport. The coach argued that the award should recognize athletes whose career legacies will leave an enduring void in world football after retirement. He listed past winners and world champions, placing the French international into a lineage of top-tier talents. In Mourinho's view, individual distinctions should celebrate personal mastery rather than serve as an extension of tournament victory podiums.

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...

Early domestic campaign and ceremony date

Mbappé started his current season by scoring a hat-trick on Wednesday in a 4-1 victory against Real Sociedad. Following that performance, Spanish sports daily AS placed the striker on its Saturday front page under the headline stating Mbappé targets the Ballon d'Or. Real Madrid host Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, seeking three points to move ahead of FC Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table. The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony is scheduled to take place on 26 October in London, where the official winner will be presented.