Mourinho backs Mbappé for Ballon d’Or over PSG and Spain stars

José Mourinho has made a clear case for Kylian Mbappé to win this year’s Ballon d’Or, insisting the award should recognise the best individual footballer rather than simply follow Champions League or World Cup success.

Mourinho’s argument for Mbappé

Speaking before Real Madrid’s La Liga meeting with Málaga, Mourinho said Mbappé stands apart because of what he achieved on a personal level over the summer. The Real Madrid coach argued that the Ballon d’Or should be reserved for players whose talent and influence go beyond a single team triumph.

In Mourinho’s view, the debate should not be reduced to which player lifted the biggest trophies. Instead, he framed the award as a recognition of rare, era-defining quality. He placed Mbappé in that bracket and said the France captain had “made history” individually.

Why Mbappé is in the conversation

Mbappé’s case is built on a remarkable run of scoring achievements. The source material states that he finished last season as the top scorer in La Liga, the Champions League and the 2026 World Cup, even though he did not collect a major trophy with club or country.

Mourinho’s comments also referenced Mbappé becoming the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, a landmark that strengthens the argument for individual recognition. That distinction, in Mourinho’s eyes, matters more than attaching the award automatically to a player from the most successful team.

The Real Madrid forward also arrives in the discussion on the back of a strong domestic performance, having scored a hat-trick in the midweek win over Real Sociedad. Madrid-based daily AS reflected that momentum by placing him on its front page under a Ballon d’Or-themed headline.

Trophies versus individual excellence

Mourinho drew a firm line between collective honours and individual merit. He said a Ballon d’Or should not be handed to a player solely because he won the Champions League or the World Cup. To underline that point, he suggested that if those competitions alone were the deciding factor, then recognition should instead go to coaches such as Luis Enrique or Luis de la Fuente.

That argument also served as a pointed comparison with other contenders. According to the source, Mbappé’s rivals include Harry Kane, Rodri, and Paris Saint-Germain pair Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Mourinho’s stance was that the world’s best player is “something else” entirely, and he explicitly ruled out that profile being found at PSG or within the Spain team.

Real Madrid’s focus remains on La Liga

While Mourinho’s remarks will add fuel to the Ballon d’Or debate, Real Madrid’s immediate attention is on the start of the league season. His side host promoted Málaga on Sunday as they chase a third consecutive victory in La Liga.

Still, the timing of the comments is significant. With Mbappé already central to Madrid’s attack and his individual numbers driving the conversation, Mourinho has publicly placed his player at the front of one of football’s biggest individual races.

• José Mourinho said Kylian Mbappé should win this year’s Ballon d’Or.
• Mourinho argued the award should not be decided only by Champions League or World Cup success.
• Mbappé finished last season as top scorer in La Liga, the Champions League and the 2026 World Cup.
• Real Madrid host Málaga as they look for a third straight La Liga win.