Mourinho backs Mbappe for Ballon d’Or despite lack of major trophies

Jose Mourinho has backed Kylian Mbappe to win this year’s Ballon d’Or, arguing the award should recognise the world’s outstanding individual player rather than automatically go to someone who has lifted the World Cup or Champions League.

Mbappe is among the leading contenders after ending last season as the top scorer in La Liga, the Champions League and the 2026 World Cup. However, the France captain did not win a major trophy during the campaign.

Mourinho, the Real Madrid coach, made his comments on Saturday before his side’s La Liga meeting with Malaga. He said the award should be based on individual quality and lasting influence, rather than team success alone.

“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.

“And for me there is one who, individually, made history this summer,” he added, referring to Mbappe, who became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history during the tournament.

Mbappe strengthened his case for the award by scoring a hat-trick in Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad on Wednesday. His performance also earned him the front page of Madrid-based sports newspaper AS on Saturday, beneath the headline: “Mbappe targets the Ballon d’Or”.

Mourinho rejected the idea that winning one of football’s biggest competitions should be enough to determine the Ballon d’Or winner.

“You cannot give the Ballon d’Or to a player simply because he won the Champions League or the World Cup,” he said.

The Real Madrid coach pointed to a group of players whose reputations, in his view, were built on their individual brilliance and their enduring impact on the sport.

“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.

Mbappe’s rivals include England striker Harry Kane, Spain midfielder and World Cup winner Rodri, and Paris Saint-Germain players Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who were part of the club’s European championship-winning side.

Mourinho also distinguished between recognising a team’s success and rewarding the best individual footballer. He suggested that the Champions League award should instead acknowledge the coach responsible for winning it, while the corresponding honour for Spain’s international triumph should go to their manager.

“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,” Mourinho added.