Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé has never won the Ballon d’Or, but he could reach the podium in 2023 after his exploits at last year’s World Cup.
Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele hopes his former club team-mate Kylian Mbappé can follow in his footsteps and win the Ballon d’Or. Mbappe welcomed Dembele as teammate at PSG in 2023, but left him for Real Madrid 12 months later.
Dembélé had a difficult first season in Paris, but stepped up significantly after his friend and compatriot left the Parc des Princes. Last season, he scored 35 goals in all competitions, including eight in the Champions League, and added six assists in Europe as Luis Enrique’s side bounced back from a disappointing start to the league and won the Champions League for the first time.
Dembele was rewarded with an award at the recent Ballon d’Or ceremony, and it looks like Mbappe will follow suit. The Real Madrid star has never finished higher than third in the voting, which was the case in 2023 when Lionel Messi won the most recent of the seven awards.
“He (Mbappe) deserves it given his career so far,” Dembele said this week (via GFFN). “He’s had a really good start to the season. He keeps scoring goals. He’s a friend. I hope he continues like this and one day he wins the Ballon d’Or.”
Mbappé has started the 2025/26 season in impressive fashion. He has scored 10 goals in La Liga and 15 in all competitions for Madrid, and is tied for top scorer in the Champions League at the end of matchday three.
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At international level, Mbappé’s goal moved France closer to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. He has scored in three of Les Bleus’ four qualifying games and the 2018 winners will secure a place if they beat Ukraine at home next month.
He scored a hat-trick in the final of the 2022 World Cup, earning his eighth win in the tournament and becoming the top scorer. However, in the final, France lost to Argentina in a penalty shootout, and in the end, it was Messi who won the Ballon d’Or.
Mbappe will have a chance to continue his assertion on Sunday when Real Madrid take on Barcelona in the first Clasico of the new season. He scored a hat-trick away against Hansi Flick’s side last season, but was unable to prevent a 4-3 defeat at home after a 4-0 defeat earlier in the season.
“I think he looks just as good and the players are equally motivated,” Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said of Mbappe before the match. “We know what this game means and how much we want it. After the Juve game, everyone is recovering well. Raul (Asensio) is also recovering well and tomorrow is the day.”
“We’re working on how we can be more efficient and what he needs to do to make an impact and how he can be the most decisive player in the team. It’s not just about goals, the quality of the team is improving and he’s a big part of that. We’re working on that.”
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