{
  "id": 6169928,
  "title": "Kylian Mbappe backs himself for Ballon d'Or win, but says voters will decide",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/kylian-mbappe-backs-himself-for-ballon-dor-win-but-says-voters-will",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-07T20:50:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kylian-mbappe-backs-himself-ballon-205016790.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kylian Mbappe expresses confidence in his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or, despite acknowledging that voters may favor other players. The French forward scored an impressive 10 goals during the 2026 World Cup, setting the all-time record for the tournament's top scorer. Additionally, he was the leading scorer in La Liga, contributing 25 goals for Real Madrid. However, Mbappe recognizes that France's fourth-place finish in the World Cup and Real Madrid's failure to win major trophies might lead some voters to consider other candidates.\n\nMbappe highlights that playing for Real Madrid, considered the best club in the world, often associates him with awards and accolades. He acknowledges that many people, including casual fans, bring up the Ballon d'Or when they encounter him in public. While acknowledging the significance of this prestigious award, Mbappe emphasizes that the final decision rests with the journalists who cast their votes.\n\nAmong the favorites to win the Ballon d'Or this year, alongside Mbappe, are Harry Kane (PSG), Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona), and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG). The trophy, awarded by an international panel of journalists, was last year's prize for PSG's Ousmane Dembélé, who finished in seventh place behind Mbappe. Mbappe's best-ever finish was third at the event in 2023. Even a teammate of Mbappe's at Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham, has suggested that the 2026 Ballon d'Or race could have multiple deserving candidates, with the manager, Jose Mourinho, expressing his belief that Mbappe's goal-scoring record this summer is virtually unbeatable.",
  "summary": "The French star feels should be hailed as the best player in the world thanks to his La Liga and World Cup campaigns but knows there will be debate.",
  "key_points": [
    "Kylian Mbappe confident in Ballon d'Or win, acknowledges voters' decision",
    "Scored 10 goals in 2026 World Cup, set all-time record for top scorer",
    "Real Madrid's fourth-place finish in World Cup may affect votes"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Can Kane buck history and win Ballon d'Or?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/can-kane-buck-history-and-win-ballon-dor",
        "published": "2026-09-07T16:03:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}