Kylian Mbappe out of 2026 Ballon d’Or race as Lionel Messi eyes ninth award
Kylian Mbappe's lack of major trophies with Real Madrid and France has sidelined him from Ballon d'Or contention, while Lionel Messi leads Argentina to another World Cup final.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: YantsImages
Kylian Mbappe's hopes of claiming the 2026 Ballon d'Or have effectively faded. Despite strong individual performances, the French forward failed to secure major silverware for either his country or his club, Real Madrid.
Former player Jeremie Aliadiere told GOAL that the criteria for winning the Ballon d'Or remain clear: winning top-tier tournaments like the Champions League, World Cup, or Euros is essential. Without these team accomplishments, Mbappe's high goal tally is unlikely to be enough to secure the prize.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi is surging toward another historic achievement. The Inter Miami forward has guided Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final, where they will face Spain. Having scored eight goals in the tournament already, Messi is in a strong position to potentially lift a record-extending ninth Golden Ball.
Experts believe the 39-year-old continues to defy expectations. Former World Cup winner Kleberson noted that Argentina's success remains heavily tied to Messi's brilliance at the highest level. As for Kylian Mbappe, he will now look to regroup and target major club trophies in 2027 to re-establish himself as the frontrunner for the award.