Kylian Mbappe Faces Challenges for 2026 Ballon d'Or

Kylian Mbappe's bid for his first Ballon d'Or is complicated as voting closed on September 28, with the winner to be revealed on October 26 in London. Despite finishing as the top scorer in La Liga and the Champions League and becoming France's all-time leading World Cup scorer, Mbappe faces significant hurdles.

RMC Sport journalist Arthur Perrot identified three main obstacles: Real Madrid's absence of major silverware, perceptions of Mbappe's inconsistent performance compared to rivals like Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal, and a growing rivalry with Dembele. Perrot noted that voters often favor players who combine individual success with team achievements, which Mbappe lacked this season.

Additionally, the tension between Mbappe and Dembele has reportedly affected their dynamic within the France national team, complicating Mbappe's path to the award.