France's Kylian Mbappe (10) walks off the pitch during the World Cup third-place playoff soccer match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Kylian Mbappé has made it clear he has no intention of playing down his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or.The Real Madrid striker believes his individual achievements give him a genuine shot at claiming the prestigious award, despite the lack of major team silverware during the season under consideration.And when asked who he would vote for, Mbappé had a typically confident answer.

Mbappé insists he would vote for himself

Mbappé's comments came in a preview of an interview with France Football, with the full conversation due to be broadcast in the coming period.Speaking to Marca hours before the announcement of the 30 nominees for the 70th edition of the award, Mbappé said he still sees himself as a serious contender.“I have a feeling that I am capable of winning it this year, and that is why I have not moved away from this goal,” the France international said.Mbappé described the Ballon d'Or as one of his main short-term objectives and based much of his argument on the fact that it is an individual award.“It is an individual award, and what the player has produced at an individual level is what is considered,” he said.

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his sides third goal during the La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Malaga in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

The forward also addressed the criticism that his candidacy should be weakened by his lack of collective honours.“People say I have not won titles, but I have never seen a unanimous Ballon d'Or given to a player who achieved everything every time,” Mbappé said.“I do not know if there has ever been a player who won it with 100% of the votes, and that means there is always someone who feels he did not deserve it.”When the conversation turned to his own ballot, there was no hesitation.“Who will I vote for? Myself.”Mbappé immediately acknowledged that other voters are entitled to reach a different conclusion.“But I understand those who vote differently, we are not in a dictatorship of thought,” he added.“When I look at the arguments, and when I look at the competition, I tell myself that my winning the award would not be a theft.”

Mbappé points to his World Cup record

The strongest part of Mbappé's case is the individual record he produced at the World Cup.He finished the tournament as its top scorer and won the Golden Boot, giving him a major achievement to put alongside his goalscoring numbers.“To become the all-time top scorer at the World Cup, and to surpass all the great legends of the sport throughout history in the most important tournament in existence, is something that draws attention, a global event,” Mbappé said.He also argued that finishing as the leading scorer in the biggest competitions should carry significant weight when the award is decided.“To finish major competitions as top scorer, where the best players in the world take part, is important,” he said. “History must always be rewarded.”However, there is an obvious complication to Mbappé's candidacy.Real Madrid finished the season without major silverware, while France also failed to lift the World Cup. That leaves Mbappé's impressive individual achievements competing against a traditional factor in the Ballon d'Or race: what a player actually won with his team.The award's assessment period runs until July 19, the day Spain were crowned World Cup winners against Argentina.Spain midfielder Rodri was named the tournament's best player, putting him among the most prominent rivals to Mbappé in the race.France Football is due to announce its 30 nominees for the 70th edition of the Ballon d'Or, with the ceremony scheduled for October 26 in London.There is no obvious runaway favourite this year, which is precisely why Mbappé believes his individual record deserves to put him in the conversation.He knows the absence of major titles will count against him.But if the question is whether Mbappé believes he belongs in the race, his answer could hardly be clearer.He would vote for himself.