How Messi, Mbappe & Yamal are promoting their Ballon d’Or claims – and why most of it is nonsense

 The Ballon d’Or ballot closes soon and some of the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal are determined to push for every last vote…

This year’s award is set to be one of the most open for some time, with worthy contenders but no obvious winner.

Some stars have shone individually; others have stood out amid team achievements. No one has really done both, leaving the Ballon d’Or up for grabs.

And here’s how the favourites are attempting to sway the voters…

Kylian Mbappe

The France star is perhaps the one pushing his case hardest for a prize he is yet to win.

Mbappe has had a productive year personally, if not collectively for Real Madrid or France, so he’s happy to talk to anyone who’ll give him a platform to remind us of his individual achievements.

“Being the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, surpassing all the greatest legends in history, in the most important tournament that sport has ever created, is breathtaking,” he told France Football, not coincidentally the publication that birthed the Ballon d’Or.

“Finishing as top scorer in all the major competitions, where all the best players in the world compete, is significant. I don’t know if it’s ever been achieved before. I believe history should always be recognized.

“Of course, there’s the team aspect, that’s important. Football is a team sport. But it’s an individual trophy. And my understanding of the Ballon d’Or is that of the Messi and Ronaldo era. It’s never given to standard players, but to exceptional players. And I think I’ve done different things this year.”

Mbappe is right on one thing: the team aspect is important. Especially in a World Cup year. Three of the last four winners immediately after World Cup finals were not world champions, but Luka Modric in 2018 and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2014 at least both won the Champions League.

Only four of the previous 19 Ballon d’Or winners failed win any of the Champions League, World Cup, European Championship or Copa America in that year.

Mbappe won nothing in 2026 with Real Madrid or France.

Jose Mourinho understood the mission when he returned to Real this summer: help get the Ballon d’Or back to the Bernabeu for the first time since 2022, especially with the club tied with Barcelona on 12 for victors.

“The best player in the world doesn’t necessarily have to be from PSG or Spain,” said Mourinho. “We know who made history on an individual level this summer.”

Indeed. We already know how important the Ballon d’Or is to Real Madrid, if only from how they saw their arse in 2024 when Rodri beat Vinicius Jr to the award. Expect the PR machine to go into overdrive in the 10 days to the voting deadline.

Lamine Yamal

Like Mbappe, Yamal isn’t afraid to speak up for himself. And the Barcelona youngster acknowledges his Real rival, but Yamal has the team honours Mbappe does not, having won the World Cup and La Liga.

“Who would I give it to? The best in the world,” Yamal told Movistar. “Who are they going to give it to? That’s a very long discussion.

“I honestly think that maybe there are two of us who are the best in the world. And I think I deserve it this year because of what I’ve won.

“Because for me, Mbappe and I are the two best in the world. For me, it’s very clear, and everyone who watches the games knows it.”

That may be true, and having a World Cup winner’s medal to campaign with is certainly a boon for Yamal.