Thibaut Courtois: Kylian Mbappé deserves the Ballon d'Or

Thibaut Courtois has named Real Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappé as his pick for the Ballon d'Or, insisting no player was better than the Frenchman individually this year.

The goalkeeper was asked by DAZN who should take football's most famous individual award, and his answer was immediate: "Kylian Mbappé".

Courtois argued that Mbappe's individual performances warrant success at this month's award ceremony in London, after a season that saw the Frenchman lead La Liga, the Champions League, and the 2026 World Cup for goals.

However, the Belgian did not pretend the case was without flaws. While backing his club teammate on performance alone, he acknowledged that a lack of silverware could count against him.

"Individually, no player was better than him this year, but sadly, we didn't win any trophies."

The Belgian also addressed the player widely seen as Mbappé's main rival for the award, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal.

Courtois argued that Mbappé outperformed the teenager at the World Cup, but conceded that Yamal's medal haul gives him a strong claim.

Yamal, who won La Liga and the World Cup in 2025/26, will become the youngest-ever Ballon d'Or winner if the 18-year-old tops the vote.

He was runner-up during last year's award, to Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele.

"Lamine Yamal had a worse World Cup than Mbappé, but he won the title, and won the league."

Courtois provided honest summary of the debate that surrounds the Ballon d'Or every year: whether individual brilliance should outweigh collective success, or whether trophies ultimately decide who lifts the award.

Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Rodri are also among the favourites, in what appears the most open Ballon d'Or race in several seasons.

Courtois, for his part, has made clear where his vote would go, even if he accepts the trophy count may tell a different story.