MADRID: Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said Kylian Mbappe deserves to win this year’s Ballon d’Or, arguing the award should go to “the best player in the world” rather than be decided by World Cup or Champions League success.
“The best players in the world, there are two, three or four of them, and we know who they are: they’re here,” Mourinho told reporters Saturday ahead of Madrid’s game against Malaga in La Liga.
“And for me there is one who, individually, made history this summer,” Mourinho said, in reference to Mbappe, who became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history during the tournament.
The France captain is among the contenders for the Ballon d’Or after finishing last season as the top scorer in La Liga, the Champions League and the 2026 World Cup, despite failing to win a major trophy.
His rivals include England striker Harry Kane, Spain midfielder and World Cup winner Rodri, and Paris Saint-Germain’s European champions Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
