Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has said he hopes to dedicate the Ballon d’Or to Africa if he wins the prestigious individual award.
Mbappé made the remarks in an interview with French broadcaster RFI on Tuesday as voting for the 2026 Ballon d’Or enters its final stages.
The France captain, who was born in Paris and raised in Bondy, has never hidden his African heritage through his Cameroonian father, Wilfried Mbappé, and Algerian mother, Fayza Lamari.
“I have never lost the connection with my roots and my origins,” Mbappé said.
The 27-year-old also spoke about the reception he has received during his visits to Africa and acknowledged the support of African journalists involved in the Ballon d’Or voting process.
“I’ve always felt very loved on the African continent. I hope I can leave with the Ballon d’Or and, in one way or another, dedicate it to them too,” he said.
Mbappé is seeking his first Ballon d’Or after another prolific campaign for Real Madrid and France.
The forward finished the 2025/26 season as La Liga’s leading scorer with 25 goals and topped the UEFA Champions League scoring chart with 15 goals.
His international campaign further strengthened his case, with Mbappé scoring 10 goals in eight matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup to finish as the tournament’s leading scorer and claim the Golden Boot.
France did not reach the World Cup final, with Spain eventually winning the tournament, but Mbappé’s individual scoring record remained one of the major talking points of the competition.
The Ballon d’Or will take into account performances during the 2025/26 season, including domestic leagues, international competitions, the Champions League and the 2026 World Cup.
The award is decided by an international jury of journalists, with 100 voters drawn from countries ranked among the top 100 in the FIFA rankings.
Mbappé has never won the award, with his highest finish coming in 2023 when he placed third behind winner Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland.
The 2026 ceremony is scheduled for Monday, October 26, in London, marking the first time the prestigious event will be staged in the British capital.
With voting scheduled to close on September 28, Mbappé’s comments have added another dimension to the build-up as football fans await the announcement of this year’s winner.
