Mbappé brothers Kylian and Ethan make early mark in Champions League for Real Madrid and Lille

Kylian Mbappé, the Real Madrid forward, has dismissed any doubts about his status as the world's best footballer. As the spotlight shifts towards the 2026 Ballon d'Or race, the Paris Saint-Germain star made a strong claim ahead of Madrid's Champions League clash with Inter Milan. Mbappé clarified that the prestigious award's outcome will be decided by the journalists who cast their votes, implying it is not under his control.

The comments came in the wake of a challenging weekend for Real Madrid, who suffered a 1-0 defeat to Real Betis in La Liga. Despite missing a penalty, Mbappé still managed to score four times in his opening four league matches, cementing his presence among the leading contenders in the individual awards race. His early-season form has kept him in the spotlight, adding a layer of intrigue to the already heated competition for the Ballon d'Or title.

With trophies and goals expected to shape the final verdict, Mbappé's performances in the coming months could well determine his fate among football's elite.