Kylian Mbappé calls himself Ballon d'Or favorite ahead of UCL

Ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League opener, Kylian Mbappé declared he would vote for himself to win the Ballon d'Or. The French forward anchored his individual bid on his remarkable performance and 10 goals during the 2026 World Cup. Despite a lack of major team trophies with Madrid last season, Mbappé remains confident in his individual case. Ahead of Real Madrid's highly anticipated UEFA Champions League debut against Inter Milan, Kylian Mbappé sparked widespread discussion across international sports media by directly addressing his status in the Ballon d'Or race. Bypassing standard diplomatic responses, the French forward placed himself squarely at the top of the individual hierarchy with a confident assertion: 'I always consider myself the best in the world.' Speaking during the pre match press conference, the Madrid star made it clear that if he held a vote for France Football's prestigious accolade, he would unabashedly choose himself, a statement that immediately triggered debate throughout the footballing community. Statistical weight and World Cup dominance Mbappé's self proclaimed candidacy centers heavily on his individual output across the recent campaign, with a particular emphasis on his dominant showing at the 2026 World Cup. By scoring 10 goals during the tournament, the forward brought his career World Cup tally to 22, establishing himself as the all time leading goalscorer in the competition's history. Furthermore, the superstar acknowledged that representing Real Madrid inherently elevates a player's global profile for individual honors, noting that fans frequently approach him in public to express their support for his push to claim the golden sphere. Overcoming the silverware hurdle Nevertheless, the forward's vocal ambition faces a notable hurdle in Real Madrid's lack of major silverware from the preceding season. Having finished the campaign without securing key domestic trophies or the Champions League title, Mbappé's claim tests the traditional voting pattern that often prioritizes team championships over isolated personal achievements. Acknowledging this obstacle, the striker stressed that individual awards should strictly reflect a player's personal performance on the pitch, expressing confidence that the voting panel of international journalists will appreciate the sheer magnitude of his statistical accomplishments. Proving it on the European stage Looking ahead, the French international is intent on translating his bold words into decisive performances on the pitch, starting with the European opener against the Italian side. The match against Inter Milan serves as an immediate platform for Mbappé to reinforce his status as a game-changing talent capable of carrying his team in high stakes fixtures. As commentators and supporters continue to debate whether individual brilliance should outweigh team success, Mbappé enters the new season determined to prove that his claims to football's highest individual honor are fully justified.