Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has named Real Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappé as his pick for the Ballon d’Or, insisting that no player performed better individually than the French forward during the 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.

“Individually, no player was better than him this year, but sadly, we didn’t win any trophies.”

The Belgian goalkeeper also compared Mbappé’s campaign with that of Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal, noting that the Spanish winger’s success in winning trophies could strengthen his claim for the award.

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

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

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.

New Telegraph reports that the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on Monday, October 26, 2026.

Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Rodri, Vinícius Júnior, and Lamine Yamal currently tops the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or Nominees.