Kylian Mbappé has delivered a strong Ballon d’Or message, saying the award must return to Real Madrid, just days after Lamine Yamal publicly said he deserves to win it.

Mbappé sends strong Ballon d’Or message as Yamal makes his case

Kylian Mbappé has delivered a powerful message in the Ballon d’Or race at a time when Lamine Yamal is openly backing himself to win football’s biggest individual award.

The Real Madrid superstar made his ambition clear during a new interview with AS.

Asked about the Ballon d’Or, Mbappé said:

“The Ballon d’Or must return to the Bernabéu.”

The comment immediately attracted attention because Yamal had recently said that he believes he deserves to win the 2026 award.

Mbappé wants the Ballon d’Or back at Real Madrid

Mbappé did not hide his ambition when discussing the award.

The French forward said he believes this could be a good year for him, although the final decision will be made by the voters.

He explained that the best way to convince them is through his performances on the pitch.

But his strongest message focused on Real Madrid.

Mbappé said he wants the Ballon d’Or to return to the Santiago Bernabéu and bring happiness to Madrid supporters.

He also made it clear that he wants to be one of the players responsible for bringing the award back to the club.

Yamal has already said he deserves to win

Mbappé’s comments come shortly after Lamine Yamal made his own Ballon d’Or position very clear.

The Barcelona star said he believes that he and Mbappé are currently among the best players in the world.

But Yamal also said he believes he deserves to win the award because of what he achieved during the season.

That statement increased attention around what is becoming one of the biggest individual battles in football.

Yamal’s case is built around major trophies

Yamal has a strong argument based on team success.

The young Barcelona star enjoyed a remarkable season for both club and country.

His achievements included:

Winning the World Cup with Spain.

Winning La Liga with Barcelona.

Being named La Liga Player of the Season.

Those honours have made Yamal one of the strongest candidates for the Ballon d’Or.

Mbappé’s numbers are difficult to ignore

Mbappé’s case looks different.

The Real Madrid forward did not collect the same level of major team trophies, but his individual numbers were exceptional.

He finished as:

World Cup top scorer.

La Liga top scorer.

Champions League top scorer.

Those achievements have kept Mbappé firmly in the Ballon d’Or conversation.

He has also previously said that an individual award should recognise individual performances, even when a player does not win the biggest team trophies.

Mbappé does not attack Yamal

Despite the timing of his comments, Mbappé did not directly attack Yamal or say the Barcelona star does not deserve the award.

In fact, his words about Yamal were respectful.

Mbappé praised the teenager’s talent and said he believes Yamal has a great career ahead of him.

He also sent good wishes to Yamal and his family.

That is an important detail because the situation should not be presented as a personal conflict between the two players.

Both are confident in their own chances, but Mbappé has not publicly dismissed Yamal’s claim.

Two very different Ballon d’Or cases

The race is becoming especially interesting because Yamal and Mbappé offer two very different arguments.

Yamal can point to major trophies and his importance to successful teams.

Mbappé can point to extraordinary individual scoring numbers across the biggest competitions.

Yamal’s case is built heavily around trophies and influence.

Mbappé’s case is built heavily around goals and individual performance.

That contrast could become one of the biggest talking points before the final vote.

Mbappé also praises Spain

There was another interesting detail in Mbappé’s interview.

The France captain admitted that Spain are currently the best national team in the world because they are the champions.

That praise is significant because Yamal was one of the key figures in Spain’s World Cup success.

It also shows that Mbappé is willing to recognise the strength of Yamal’s achievements even while making his own case for the Ballon d’Or.

The pressure is rising before the Ballon d’Or ceremony

With the award ceremony getting closer, every comment from the leading candidates will attract attention.

Yamal has already said he believes he deserves to win.

Now Mbappé has sent his own message.

“The Ballon d’Or must return to the Bernabéu.”

It is a clear statement of ambition from the Real Madrid superstar.

Yamal vs Mbappé is becoming the main story

The Ballon d’Or race is still decided by voters, and neither player can control the final result.

But the public debate is becoming increasingly focused on these two stars.

Yamal has the major trophies.

Mbappé has the extraordinary individual numbers.

And both players clearly believe they have a strong case.

Mbappé has not directly challenged Yamal’s claim, but his latest message leaves no doubt about his ambition.

He wants the Ballon d’Or back at the Bernabéu.

And he wants to be the man who brings it there.