Mbappé Vows to Dedicate Ballon d'Or to Africa if He Wins

Some players, when they win an award, thank the club, the family, the coaching staff. Then there's Kylian Mbappé, who already made clear who he wants to dedicate his to before he's even holding it: an entire continent.

The Real Madrid forward and France captain spoke to RFI about something he has repeated for a while now, but which carries added weight today, with a little less than a month to go before the Ballon d'Or is handed out. Mbappé, whose father is Cameroonian and whose mother is of Algerian descent, made it clear he has never turned his back on that part of his story, even though his entire soccer career has been played in a France jersey.

I always had an upbringing steeped in African culture, even though I was born in France and did everything in France. I've never cut ties with my roots, my origins. It's part of the values instilled in you.Kylian Mbappé

That's not just an offhand comment. Mbappé traveled to Cameroon in July 2023 on a visit that got plenty of attention: he stopped in Yaoundé, then Douala, and made it to Djebale, the island his father's family originally comes from. He also visited schools supported by his foundation and met with Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngu. It wasn't the first time he'd set foot on the continent, as he explained himself.

I went back to Cameroon not long ago. I used to go when I was little, and I had an incredible time. Every time I go to Africa I'm welcomed with enormous warmth, I feel the love from the people.Kylian Mbappé

French at heart, African at the root

Still, embracing his origins doesn't mean there has ever been any doubt about who he represents on the field. Mbappé made that clear too, earlier this year, almost as if to shut down any speculation on the matter.

I was born in France, I'm French, I did everything in France. I have Cameroonian and Algerian origins, but I grew up with French culture.Kylian Mbappé

With voting for the 2026 Ballon d'Or approaching, Mbappé is among this year's nominees for the men's award and dreams of joining a fairly exclusive group: players of African origin who have won the trophy, a list that includes Eusebio, George Weah, Zinedine Zidane, Karim Benzema and Ousmane Dembélé. And for that, he says, he has the backing of the entire continent.

First, I want to thank them for their support over all these years. I've always felt so loved every time I've set foot on the African continent. I think, having African origins, it's always a pleasure to be associated with the Ballon d'Or. I thank them for everything and I hope to walk away with the Ballon d'Or so that, in one way or another, I can dedicate it to them.Kylian Mbappé

Behind those words is a season that backs up the case. The Frenchman finished as LaLiga's top scorer in 2025-26 with 25 goals, added 15 goals in the Champions League and two more in the Copa del Rey, closing out the campaign with 42 goals in 44 matches for Real Madrid. On top of that, he had a standout World Cup with the French national team, the other major argument he brings to the table ahead of November's ceremony.