{
  "id": 4195102,
  "title": "Mourinho says Mbappe worthy of Ballon d'Or",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/mourinho-says-mbappe-worthy-of-ballon-dor",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-29T13:14:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/08/1521413/mourinho-says-mbappe-worthy-ballon-dor"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho believes Kylian Mbappe deserves to win the Ballon d'Or, arguing that the award should honor the world's best player rather than be determined by World Cup or Champions League success. Speaking ahead of Madrid's La Liga match against Malaga, Mourinho stated that there are two, three or four players worthy of the title, and he knows who they are as they are currently with Real Madrid. He highlighted Mbappe's remarkable feat of becoming the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history during the tournament. Despite failing to win any major trophies, the France captain is among the contenders for the prestigious award. Mbappe's rivals for the Ballon d'Or include Harry Kane, Rodri, Dembele, and Kvaratskhelia. Mourinho emphasized that the award should go to players whose absence would be deeply missed, referencing legends like Maradona, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo Nazario, Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, and Zidane. He argued that rewarding success through trophies like the Champions League or World Cup is not the appropriate criterion.",
  "summary": "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.",
  "key_points": [
    "Mourinho believes Mbappe deserves Ballon d'Or, not just World Cup or Champions League success.",
    "Mbappe became all-time leading scorer in World Cup history despite no major trophies.",
    "Rivals for award include Harry Kane, Rodri, Dembele, and Kvaratskhelia."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Mourinho says Mbappe worthy of Ballon d’Or",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/mourinho-says-mbappe-worthy-of-ballon-dor-4202338",
        "published": "2026-08-29T12:55:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "‘If politics gets involved, I do not like that’: Jose Mourinho on Ballon d’Or",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/if-politics-gets-involved-i-do-not-like-that-jose-mourinho-on-ballon",
        "published": "2026-08-29T13:09:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "Mourinho says Mbappe worthy of Ballon d’Or",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/mourinho-says-mbappe-worthy-of-ballon-dor-4224752",
        "published": "2026-08-29T14:45:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Mourinho questions Ballon d’Or criteria, says trophies shouldn’t decide winner",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/mourinho-questions-ballon-dor-criteria-says-trophies-shouldnt-decide",
        "published": "2026-08-29T15:08:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}