Real Madrid reportedly believe that Kylian Mbappé or Jude Bellingham should be awarded the Ballon d’Or if either player helps their national team win the 2026 World Cup.
According to sources close to the club, Madrid’s stance stems from their frustration over Vinícius Jr. being overlooked for the 2024 Ballon d’Or. Despite delivering an outstanding season and helping Real Madrid win the Champions League, Vinícius finished behind Rodri, who was recognised largely for his role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph.
Real Madrid are now arguing that the same logic should apply to the World Cup. The club feels that lifting football’s biggest prize should carry significant weight in the Ballon d’Or voting — especially when the winner is also performing at the highest level for their club.
Both Mbappé (with France) and Bellingham (with England) are seen as realistic candidates to win the World Cup in 2026. If either achieves that, Madrid reportedly believe they would have a very strong case for the individual award.
The debate around the Ballon d’Or criteria has intensified in recent years, with many arguing that international success is often undervalued compared to club achievements. Real Madrid’s position appears to be a direct response to what they see as an inconsistent application of those criteria.
Whether this argument gains traction with voters remains to be seen, but it shows the club is prepared to publicly back their players in the individual awards race.
