Rodrygo backs superstar Kylian Mbappe to win Ballon d'Or

Real Madrid winger Rodrygo has backed teammate and superstar Kylian Mbappe to win the next Ballon d’Or after finishing in the top 10 eight times.

Rodrygo is highly optimistic that Mbappe will win the 2026 French Magazine’s prestigious individual men’s football award, describing the current La Liga top goalscorer as a “football phenomenon” who is getting “faster every day.”

The Real Madrid No. 10 has been in unstoppable form, scoring a staggering 14 goals in the first 10 games of the 2025/26 season in all competitions.

Los Blancos and Mbappe always looked like a match made in heaven. Having been linked with each other since the players’ early breakthrough career days at Monaco in the 2016/17 season.

However, the 15-time Champions League winners only got their man in the summer of 2024.

Meanwhile, 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 advised to depart Paris Saint-Germain to pursue his Ballon d’Or ambition, Mbappe delivered a record-breaking debut season, scoring 44 goals in 59 matches at the Spanish capital, Madrid.

Kylian Mbappe celebrates his second in Real Madrid’s 3-1 win at home against Villareal on Saturday, 4th September 2025. (Image: Getty Images)

Despite his individual brilliance, the lack of collective success saw him finish seventh in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings, with his France teammate and PSG star Ousmane Dembele claiming the award with his first entry.

Mbappe’s Madrid teammate Rodrygo, however, does not doubt 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.

The Brazilian winger 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 AS. “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.”

Mbappé also became the joint-fastest to reach 40 La Liga goals for Los Blancos, matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 42 games, with the Madrid legend’s all-time Champions League record now in his sights.