According to a report by Madrid Universal on Wednesday October 21, 2026, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has backed teammate Kylian Mbappe to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or, insisting that the French forward deserves the prestigious individual award ahead of Barcelona star Lamine Yamal.

The Ballon d'Or race has attracted considerable attention, with Mbappe, Yamal and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane among the leading contenders. Each player has a strong case, making the decision a difficult one for voters.

Speaking to DAZN, Courtois praised Mbappe's individual performances while acknowledging Yamal's achievements with Barcelona and Spain.

“I think Kylian deserves it, but people vote according to their own logic. For me, Lamine Yamal had a slightly worse World Cup, but he became world champion, won the League with Barcelona and had a good year,” Courtois said.

The Belgian goalkeeper also questioned whether the award should primarily recognise individual brilliance or team success. He argued that Mbappe had been outstanding individually, despite Real Madrid's reported lack of major trophies during the campaign.

Mbappe's goalscoring record could strengthen his case, but Yamal's team achievements make him a serious rival. Kane is also in contention after an impressive season with Bayern Munich.

Courtois further recalled the 2024 Ballon d'Or controversy, when Manchester City midfielder Rodri won ahead of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior. The goalkeeper admitted that the voting criteria could sometimes be difficult to understand.

With the winner expected to be announced on October 26, the debate over individual excellence versus collective success remains central to the race. Whether Mbappe's performances will outweigh Yamal's trophy haul remains to be seen.