José Mourinho says Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé should win this year’s Ballon d’Or. Speaking to reporters, Mourinho argues the award ought to recognise the best individual player in the world rather than automatically reward those whose success comes primarily through major tournaments.
Across outlets, Mourinho is described as saying the Ballon d’Or should not be decided by Champions League or World Cup outcomes. He frames his view as a question of individual excellence, suggesting there are “two, three or four” players who stand out as the best, and he implies Mbappé is among them. Some coverage also notes Mbappé’s broader record in major competitions as part of the context for Mourinho’s case, though the central reasoning in all sources is consistent: trophies should not be the main criterion.
While the reporting varies slightly in wording—particularly around how he contrasts team trophies with individual quality—each account attributes the same core message to Mourinho ahead of Real Madrid’s match in La Liga.
