Mbappe Publicly States: He Would Vote for Himself for the Ballon d'Or

In an interview with France Football magazine, the reporter asked a question all fans care about: who would you vote for to win this year's Ballon d'Or? Mbappe did not avoid the question and smiled as he said three words: 'Myself.' He then added an even stronger statement — if he really won it, it would definitely not be 'stolen.' The comments immediately caused widespread discussion.

To be honest, when I first saw this news, my instinct was to wonder whether it was just a sensational headline. But after reading it, every word was something Mbappe himself had said, with no exaggeration. This kind of undisguised confidence would have been unimaginable from the Real Madrid forward of the past. Now, he seems ready to face all criticism and applause.

Where does Mbappe's confidence come from? The answer is simple: the 2026 World Cup. At that tournament, under the eyes of the world, he delivered an almost flawless performance. He not only retained the World Cup Golden Boot but also surpassed many historical legends to become the leading scorer in World Cup history.

Do you know what this achievement means? On the World Cup all-time scoring list, the names previously standing there included Gerd Muller, Ronaldo, and Klose. Mbappe used his own feet to write himself at the very top of this list. It was not achieved through teammates simply creating chances for him; it was earned goal by goal during the toughest knockout stages.

In Mbappe's view, the core criterion for the Ballon d'Or is a player's individual performance. The World Cup is the most watched individual sporting event in the world, so why should creating history there not be rewarded? His logic is direct: he achieved something unprecedented on that stage, and the Ballon d'Or should recognize that.

He also raised an interesting point: throughout history, no Ballon d'Or winner has received 100 percent of the votes. Since controversy is an inherent part of the selection process, he believes he has every reason to compete for the honor. It may sound like he is leaving himself room for defense, but in reality he is telling everyone not to dismiss his competitiveness by saying 'someone else is better.'

Of course, Mbappe clearly knows where his biggest weakness lies. At the club level, Real Madrid went trophyless across four competitions last season, without a major team title to strengthen his case. In modern football, the Ballon d'Or has never been purely a stage for individual heroics; team honors remain an important factor.

'Only statistics without trophies' is the main criticism aimed at him. Many believe that no matter how well he performed at the World Cup, without the Champions League or La Liga titles, his Ballon d'Or case is missing an important piece. This argument has some basis, but it is not entirely fair either — Mbappe's consistent performances in other competitions have also been widely recognized.

Facing these doubts, Mbappe showed a level of maturity beyond many people's expectations. He did not react angrily or rush to argue back, but honestly stated that he was not demanding a completely undisputed victory and understood those who voted for other candidates. This attitude actually made him appear more credible.

His logic is that, considering both his historic breakthrough at the World Cup and his consistent performances throughout the season, he deserves the honor. He does not require everyone to agree, but hopes the judging panel can objectively recognize his value. This calm and confident approach is more powerful than emotional responses.

When asked about his self-assessment, Mbappe fully expressed his confidence: 'I have always believed I am the best player in the world.' The statement carries significant weight. He knows it will create debate, but clearly said it is his personal judgment and does not require everyone to agree. This certainty in self-belief is what separates top superstars from ordinary players.

The Ballon d'Or has never been just a cold voting result; it carries narratives, memories, and the collective emotions of fans and media. In 2026, a year without an absolute dominant figure, Mbappe chose to take the initiative and declare his ambition by 'voting for himself.' The strategy itself is worth considering.

Regardless of the final result, Mbappe has already placed himself in a favorable position in this competition. He is willing to face criticism and openly express his desire for the highest individual honor, and that mentality of a strong competitor is itself a kind of victory. As he said — if he truly wins it, it would not be theft, but fair recognition of a brilliant individual history.

The football world's stories never stop. Mbappe's journey toward the Ballon d'Or has only just begun, and the winter of 2026 is set to leave many topics worth remembering. As for who will ultimately claim the award, we will wait and see.