Kylian Mbappé's Ballon d'Or Journey: Every Nomination, Victory, and Vote That Shaped His Legacy

Kylian Mbappé had already established himself as one of football's most exciting young talents before he ever appeared on a Ballon d'Or shortlist.

The 2018 World Cup in Russia was the moment the Frenchman truly burst onto the world stage, playing a central role in France's championship run. His displays earned him the Kopa Trophy, and there was already a growing belief that Mbappé would claim multiple Ballons d'Or throughout his career.

His reputation as a generational talent has only grown stronger—further cemented by his continued record-breaking exploits at Real Madrid. But how has Mbappé actually performed in the Ballon d'Or standings so far?

How Many Times Has Kylian Mbappé Been Nominated for the Ballon d'Or?

Kylian Mbappé has received a Ballon d'Or nomination nine times, with his most recent inclusion coming in the 2026 edition.

Mbappé first appeared on the shortlist in 2017, becoming the youngest Ballon d'Or nominee in history at that point. The teenage sensation had delivered a stunning breakout season with Monaco, guiding the club to a Ligue 1 title and a Champions League semifinal appearance before completing a high-profile transfer to Paris Saint-Germain that summer.

That record has since been surpassed by Lamine Yamal, who claimed the title of youngest-ever nominee in 2024.

Mbappé has consistently featured among the world's best players, earning nominations in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. The 2020 ceremony was scrapped entirely, meaning no nominations were issued that year.

How Many Times Has Kylian Mbappé Won the Ballon d'Or?

Despite an exceptional career thus far, Mbappé is yet to get his hands on a Ballon d'Or.

His highest-ever finish came in 2023, when he placed third in the overall vote while still representing Paris Saint-Germain.

Following his move to Real Madrid in 2024, Mbappé had a prolific debut campaign at the Bernabéu, netting a club-record 44 goals. Yet that impressive output wasn't enough to propel him up the Ballon d'Or rankings, as he finished seventh in the vote, behind Achraf Hakimi, Raphinha, Mohamed Salah, Vitinha, Lamine Yamal and eventual winner Ousmane Dembélé.

Kylian Mbappé Ballon d'Or Voting Record