Why Kylian Mbappe missed out on the 2026 Ballon d’Or despite prolific season

Kylian Mbappe’s goals were not enough to secure the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with the Real Madrid forward finishing runner-up to England striker Harry Kane despite producing an exceptional individual campaign.

Spanish newspaper Marca identified team success and a player’s contribution to the collective as the main reasons Mbappe fell short. It argued that the award is increasingly influenced not only by personal statistics but also by the trophies won with a club and the ability to fit into a successful team structure.

Team trophies prove decisive

According to Marca, the three most recent Ballon d’Or winners – Rodri, Ousmane Dembele and Kane – share one important achievement: they won major honours with their clubs.

The newspaper believes that factor helped separate them from Mbappe. It also pointed to a shared mentality in which the player’s contribution to the team is placed ahead of individual priorities.

Mbappe produced impressive scoring figures, but Real Madrid did not win the collective honours required to strengthen his case for the award.

Marca said that, although the Ballon d’Or is an individual prize, it increasingly reflects the collective spirit of football. The newspaper also cited the victories of Luka Modric and Karim Benzema in earlier editions, when the competition was particularly open.

Goals alone could not secure the award

Mbappe entered the contest after finishing as the top scorer in La Liga and winning the Champions League golden boot. He also maintained an impressive scoring record at the World Cup.

However, Marca said those achievements were insufficient to overcome rivals who combined outstanding individual performances with success for their clubs.

The newspaper referred to the 2025 edition, when Mbappe finished seventh despite winning the Golden Boot. He was placed behind players from Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Liverpool – clubs that Marca judged to have enjoyed stronger seasons than Real Madrid and won important trophies.

Kane’s victory in 2026 was also attributed to more than his goals. Marca highlighted his ability to participate in build-up play and link with team-mates, qualities it said increased his value within the team system.

Mbappe still has time at Real Madrid

Mbappe did not hide his disappointment after losing the award in London, but he still has time to continue pursuing the prize with Real Madrid.

Marca recalled that the France forward previously finished fourth in 2018 after winning the World Cup with France. He was placed behind Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann.

He was also close to challenging for the award in 2020 after scoring 30 goals and creating 18 for Paris Saint-Germain, but the ceremony was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Marca concluded that the Ballon d’Or race is more like a long-distance event than a sprint. Mbappe still has an opportunity to achieve his ambition, but he must combine his individual numbers with collective success at Real Madrid if he is to turn that ambition into victory.