Kylian Mbappé: “No player was better than me last season.”

Kylian Mbappé has made no secret of his ambition to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or. In a wide-ranging interview published in full by L’Équipe on Friday, the Real Madrid forward explained why he believes his individual performances make him the leading contender for football’s most prestigious personal award.

Despite Real Madrid finishing another season without a major trophy, Mbappé insists that joining the Spanish giants was never a mistake.

“Every season teaches you something,” he explained. “Being at Real Madrid is a privilege, and it helps you understand what you need to improve in order to do better the following season.”

The French captain also dismissed comparisons between his departure from Paris Saint-Germain and PSG’s subsequent success. According to him, football is shaped by cycles.

“I wanted to fulfil my dream of playing for Real Madrid. Going to the biggest club in the world can never be a mistake,” Mbappé said.

The 27-year-old also addressed the issue of egos inside dressing rooms, arguing that they are not limited to superstar players.

“People always associate ego with stars, but every dressing room has egos. I have seen players who are not famous at all with enormous egos,” he explained.

Mbappé confident about the Ballon d’Or

While collective trophies were missing, Mbappé’s individual numbers were extraordinary. He finished as La Liga’s top scorer with 25 goals and also led the Champions League scoring charts with 15.

His performances at the World Cup strengthened his case even further. Mbappé scored 10 goals during the tournament and became the competition’s all-time leading scorer with 22, moving ahead of Lionel Messi, Miroslav Klose and Ronaldo Nazário.

For Mbappé, those achievements make his Ballon d’Or claim difficult to ignore.

🗣️ Kylian Mbappé: "We WILL win titles this year at Real Madrid.

I am CERTAIN of it." pic.twitter.com/LhTm8fWAZX

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) September 12, 2026

“There was no better player than me last season,” he said. “Scoring that many goals in the biggest competitions and becoming the leading scorer in World Cup history is something different.”

Mbappé believes individual history should be rewarded even when team trophies are absent.

“People say I didn’t win a collective trophy, but the Ballon d’Or is an individual award. History should always be rewarded.”

The Real Madrid star also acknowledged one area where he can still improve: his defensive contribution.

“Defensively, I can do more to help my teams,” he admitted. “And offensively, I can still become more efficient. In Europe, there aren’t many players who can create as many chances for themselves as I can.”

Mourinho and Zidane begin a new era

Mbappé is also excited about working under José Mourinho at Real Madrid.

“He is very intelligent. You can feel that he knows exactly what he is doing and where he wants to go. With him, we have everything we need to succeed.”

At international level, Mbappé will also begin a new chapter under France’s new coach, Zinédine Zidane.

“Zidane is Zidane. For French people, he represents so much. He is a legend, an icon and perhaps the player who best represents the French national team.”

For Mbappé, the objective is therefore clear: improve, win again with Real Madrid and France, and finally lift the Ballon d’Or.