After finishing in the Ballon d'Or top 10 eight times, Rodrygo believes 2026 could be the year Kylian Mbappe finally gets to lift the prestigious individual award. The Real Madrid No.10, described by Rodrygo as a "football phenomenon" who is getting "faster every day", has been in unstoppable form, scoring a staggering 14 goals in the first 10 games of the 2025-26 season.
Mbappe left PSG to lay hands on the Ballon d'Or
Mbappe and Madrid flirted with each other ever since the Paris-born speedster broke through the ranks at Monaco in the 2016-17 season. However, it was not until the summer of 2024 that the association materialised. The 26-year-old finished in the top 10 seven consecutive times between 2017 and 2024, claiming a career-best third-placed finish in 2023. After being told to leave Paris Saint-Germain in order to realise his Ballon d'Or dream, Mbappe smashed 44 goals in 59 games in what was a record-breaking debut season. Lack of collective success, however, meant that he finished in seventh in the 2025 rankings, with his France compatriot and PSG talisman Ousmane Dembele lifting the accolade.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportRodrygo confident about Mbappe's chances for the 2026 Ballon d'Or
Mbappe's Real Madrid co-star Rodrygo, though, has no doubt about the Frenchman's talent, asserting that the forward is more than capable of winning the prestigious award next year if he maintains his current form. He also expressed his excitement about playing alongside him, adding that he thoroughly enjoys their partnership on the pitch.
"Yes, the truth is that we pair up very well, and he's really good," Rodrygo told . "I love playing with him. He has incredible speed. He's getting faster every day and finishing better. He's a football phenomenon. It's a pleasure to have him on our team.
"Of course he can [win the Ballon d'Or next year] if he keeps this up, and scores so many goals. And titles should be important. You have to understand this criterion because sometimes they apply it and sometimes they don't."
Mbappe on a tear at the start of 2025-26 season
The Madrid marksman has been in ridiculous goalscoring form. Xabi Alonso's side have played 10 games, winning nine of those, with the only defeat coming at the hands of cross-city rivals Atletico Madrid. Mbappe has found the back of the net in all games barring the 2-1 win over Mallorca, scoring a staggering 14 goals in 10 games. To put things into perspective, he took 16 more games to reach the same tally last season. What's more, he also became the joint-fastest to 40 La Liga goals for Los Blancos, matching Cristiano Ronaldo's record of 42 games. Now, he has Mr. Champions League's all-time record in sight.
AFPWhen does Mbappe play next?
After suffering a minor ankle sprain in the 3-1 win over Villarreal at the weekend, Mbappe has joined the national team camp in France. However, Les Bleus' captain did not participate in training. It remains to be seen if he is cleared fit for the World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan on Friday.