Courtois backs Mbappé for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, saying the Real Madrid forward has been the world’s best player this year
MADRID, Spain, 1 October 2026: Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has backed teammate Kylian Mbappé for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, arguing that the prestigious award should recognise individual excellence rather than simply go to the player who has won the most trophies.
Thibaut Courtois made the assessment during an interview with Onda Cero’s Radioestadio Noche, where the Belgium international discussed the Ballon d’Or race and his view of Mbappé’s performances. Onda Cero confirmed that Courtois used the interview to call for Mbappé to receive the award.
“The Ballon d’Or should be for who has been the best player in the world this year, not necessarily who won the most trophies,” Thibaut Courtois said.
“For me, it is Mbappé.”
The endorsement comes with the Ballon d’Or race entering its final weeks. Kylian Mbappé is among the 30 nominees for the men’s award, alongside fellow high-profile contenders including Ousmane Dembélé, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, Lionel Messi and Rodri.
The 2026 ceremony is scheduled for 26 October at the London Palladium, with the event marking the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or.
Courtois’ comments add a fresh layer to a debate that has already centred on the balance between individual performance and collective achievement.
Onda Cero recently highlighted Mbappé and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal as two of the leading names in the public conversation surrounding this year’s award. The Spanish outlet noted the contrasting cases being discussed around individual performances and team honours.
Mbappé is competing for the award after another prolific campaign, while Yamal enters the discussion with significant collective success to his name.
Ousmane Dembélé is also seeking to retain the award after winning the 2025 men’s Ballon d’Or.
The distinction is important because the Ballon d’Or is not simply a trophy-counting exercise.
Courtois’ argument is that the central question should be which footballer performed at the highest individual level during the assessment period.
That view could benefit Mbappé, whose candidacy has been strengthened by his individual output despite the different levels of collective success recorded by the leading contenders.
The French forward is also one of four Real Madrid players nominated for the men’s Ballon d’Or, alongside Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior and Marc Cucurella. Courtois himself has been nominated for the men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.
The goalkeeper therefore has a close connection to the Madrid contingent in this year’s awards.
His support for Mbappé is nevertheless an individual opinion and does not represent the position of the Ballon d’Or voting panel.
The voting process will determine the eventual winner, with the men’s award forming part of a wider ceremony that includes prizes for women’s football, young players, goalkeepers, coaches, clubs and strikers.
For Mbappé, the support from one of his most experienced Real Madrid teammates adds another prominent voice to his campaign.
Courtois has also been discussing his own position at Real Madrid during the Onda Cero interview.
The Belgian goalkeeper, who has begun his ninth season with the Spanish club, spoke about his decision to pause his involvement with Belgium during the current international window while concentrating on Real Madrid.
His comments on the Ballon d’Or, however, were unequivocal.
For Courtois, trophies should not automatically determine the outcome.
His choice is Mbappé, whom he considers the best player in the world during the period under review.
The final decision will come in London on 26 October, when the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner is formally announced.
news1 year ago
politics1 year ago
entertainment1 year ago
entertainment1 year ago
politics2 years ago
politics1 year ago
events2 years ago
events2 years ago