Former AS Monaco forward Kylian Mbappé recorded his highest Ballon d’Or placing on Monday 26th October, coming in second place behind Harry Kane at the ceremony in London.
The Real Madrid striker finished ahead of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, with Rodri and Lionel Messi completing the top five. Although he did not secure his first Ballon d’Or, the occasion marked another milestone for the player whose professional career began in the Principality.
A SEASON OF GOALSCORING
Mbappé entered the awards after leading the scoring charts in both La Liga and the Champions League during the 2025-2026 season. He scored 25 league goals for Real Madrid and added 15 in Europe’s leading club competition.
His goalscoring continued internationally during the 2026 World Cup. The forward struck ten times for France, claiming the tournament’s Golden Boot. This honour was among the achievements that earned him a place among the leading Ballon d’Or contenders.
Kane ultimately secured the award after scoring 73 goals for club and country across the campaign. The Bayern Munich striker became the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001 and also collected the men’s striker of the year prize.
BREAKTHROUGH AT STADE LOUIS-II
Mbappé’s rise began in Monaco’s academy before his first-team debut against Caen on 2nd December 2015. At 16 years and 11 months old, he became the club’s youngest professional player at the time.
His first Ligue 1 goal followed against Troyes two months later, while he also helped Monaco’s under-19s win the Coupe Gambardella in the spring of 2016.
The next season established him on the European stage. Mbappé scored 15 league goals as Monaco won the 2016-2017 French title, combining domestic success with a run to the Champions League semifinals.
His contributions included goals against Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund. Across his first-team career with Monaco, he registered 27 goals and 17 assists in 60 appearances.
HONOURS ACROSS THE GAME
Elsewhere at the ceremony, Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or, while Yamal collected the men’s young talent award.
Paris Saint-Germain were named men’s club of the year, with Barcelona taking the women’s honour. Spain’s Luis de la Fuente received the men’s coaching award, while Unai Simón was named men’s goalkeeper of the year.
Nearly eleven years after his professional debut with AS Monaco, Mbappé now stands one place away from one of football’s most prestigious individual awards, with Monaco having provided the platform and support for his early rise.
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Main photo source: Ballon d’Or