Kylian Mbappe, at just 27 years old, is already considered one of the greatest football players ever. The man is the highest goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history and has been one of the top goal scorers globally for almost a decade. He’s been to two World Cup finals, even winning one in 2018. But get this: despite that stacked resume, Mbappe still hasn’t lifted the Ballon d’Or, the most coveted individual prize in the sport. It’s the one trophy every player dreams of, and somehow, it’s eluded him so far.
An Unbelievable Career, One Big Hole
Seriously, you look at Mbappe’s career, and it’s insane. World Cup winner, check. Top scorer in the biggest tournament on Earth, check. Consistently banging in goals year after year, check. Yet, there are a couple of huge boxes he hasn’t ticked yet. He hasn’t won the UEFA Champions League with either PSG or Real Madrid, which is wild to think about. And then there’s the Ballon d’Or. As of the 2026 ceremony, he’s never won it. The closest he came was in 2023, when he finished third. You remember that year, right? Lionel Messi had just won the 2022 World Cup, and Erling Haaland was smashing Premier League goal records. So, yeah, tough competition, but still, for a player of Mbappe’s caliber, it feels like it’s just a matter of time.
The Annual Ballon d’Or Grind: Always Close, Never The Win
It’s not like he hasn’t been recognized. Mbappe has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or every single year since 2017. And get this, he’s finished in the Top 10 each and every one of those years. That’s an outstanding record for someone who hasn’t actually won the award. He did snag the Kopa Trophy in 2018, the inaugural year for that award, which goes to the best young player under 21. That’s a huge honor, presented at the same gala. But the big one? Still waiting. Check out his finishes:
* **2017:** 7th (Winner: Cristiano Ronaldo)
* **2018:** 4th (Winner: Luka Modric) – *Also won the Kopa Trophy this year!*
* **2019:** 6th (Winner: Lionel Messi)
* **2020:** No award
* **2021:** 9th (Winner: Lionel Messi)
* **2022:** 6th (Winner: Karim Benzema)
* **2023:** 3rd (Winner: Lionel Messi)
* **2024:** 6th (Winner: Rodri)
* **2025:** 7th (Winner: Ousmane Dembele)
* **2026:** ?? TBD
As the 2026 Ballon d’Or gala unfolds, all eyes are on Mbappe. He’s expected to battle it out in the top three again, vying with Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal for that elusive trophy. Could this finally be his moment? The football world is absolutely buzzing to see if the greatest player of his generation can finally add the Ballon d’Or to his legendary resume.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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