Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho expressed strong support for Kylian Mbappe’s candidacy for this year’s Ballon d’Or, emphasizing that the award should recognize the best individual player rather than be determined solely by World Cup or Champions League victories.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Real Madrid’s La Liga match against Malaga on Saturday, Mourinho highlighted Mbappe’s remarkable achievements during the recent season and summer tournament. The France captain became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history and finished last season as the top scorer in La Liga, the Champions League, and the 2026 World Cup.

Mourinho identified a small group of elite players currently at the top of the sport and singled out Mbappe for his individual accomplishments during the summer. “For me there is one who, individually, made history this summer,” Mourinho said, referring to Mbappe’s record-breaking World Cup performance.

Despite Mbappe’s notable scoring feats, he did not secure a major trophy in the recent campaigns, a factor often heavily weighted in Ballon d’Or considerations. Nonetheless, other top contenders in the running for the award include England striker Harry Kane, Spain midfielder Rodri—who won the World Cup—and Paris Saint-Germain teammates Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who secured the Champions League title.

Mourinho was clear in his view that the Ballon d’Or should not be awarded based solely on team trophies like the Champions League or World Cup. “You cannot give the Ballon d’Or to a player simply because he won the Champions League or the World Cup,” he said.

Mbappe’s recent form includes a hat-trick in Wednesday’s 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad, underlining his ongoing impact at both club and international levels. His quest for the Ballon d’Or has drawn significant media attention, with Madrid-based sports outlets spotlighting his ambition to claim the prestigious individual honor.