Kylian Mbappé Pursues First Ballon D'or Amid Criticism

WHO:

Sportskeeda - Frank Leboeuf criticized Mbappé for his claims regarding deserving the 2026 Ballon d'Or, stating, "They think he is selfish, and he is showing that."

Sportskeeda - Fernando Palomo criticized Mbappé for his performance in the La Liga loss, stating, "Mbappe didn't play a match worthy of a player who constantly claims to deserve the Ballon d'Or."

CNN - Kylian Mbappé stated, “A frustration? No,” regarding never having won the Ballon d'Or.

CNN - Zinedine Zidane has been confirmed as the new national team coach for France, replacing Didier Deschamps.

Sportskeeda - Frank Leboeuf criticized Mbappé for claiming he deserves to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or.

Sportskeeda - Fernando Palomo criticized Mbappé for his performance in the 2-1 La Liga loss at Atletico Madrid on September 20.

CNN - David Allemann, On-Founder and Co-CEO

CNN - Kylian Mbappé, sportswear brand On, Didier Deschamps, Zinedine Zidane, Frank Leboeuf

Sportskeeda - Frank Leboeuf

WHAT:

Sportskeeda - Marcus Thuram reportedly intervened to resolve a disagreement between Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembele regarding the Ballon d'Or.

Sportskeeda - Cuti Romero claimed that Lionel Messi should win the Ballon d'Or every year until he retires.

CNN - Mbappé emphasized that he is looking forward to starting a new era with the national team under Zidane, saying, “Another era starting in the national team, we are really happy to have him (Zidane).”

Sportskeeda - Marcus Thuram reportedly intervened to resolve a disagreement between Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembele regarding the Ballon d'Or.

CNN - Kylian Mbappé stated, “This could be a good year for me,” regarding his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or.

CNN - Mbappé emphasized that the Ballon d'Or should be awarded to the best individual player, stating, “When you talk about the Ballon d’Or, you give it to one player, so you give it to the best player.”

CNN - Mbappé described becoming the World Cup’s all-time top scorer as “something that I couldn’t imagine,” reflecting on his achievement at the age of 27.

CNN - Mbappé mentioned that he is looking forward to starting a new era with the national team under Zinedine Zidane, saying, “Another era starting in the national team, we are really happy to have him (Zidane).”

CNN - Mbappé has ended a near 20-year relationship with Nike to sign with On, marking the brand's first step into the world of soccer.

CNN - Allemann stated that the market entry for Mbappé's new design is planned for 2027.

CNN - Kylian Mbappé stated, “Football is a collective sport, but there are collective trophies to represent that collective supremacy,” regarding the Ballon d'Or.

CNN - Mbappé's two biggest contenders for the Ballon d'Or are Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Bayern Munich's Harry Kane, with Lionel Messi also in contention for a record-extending ninth win.

CNN - Mbappé expressed that he aims to build a legacy, stating, “At the end of the day, it’s part of history, part of the legacy that I want to build.”

CNN - Mbappé promised to dedicate the Ballon d'Or to Africa if he wins, referencing his connection to the continent.

CNN - Kylian Mbappé is pursuing his first Ballon d'Or award.

CNN - Mbappé finished fourth at the World Cup with France and did not win any trophies with Real Madrid last season.

CNN - Mbappé became the World Cup’s all-time top scorer with a record-breaking 22nd goal during the third-place playoff against England.

CNN - Mbappé signed a new sponsorship deal with sportswear brand On, marking the brand's first entry into soccer.

CNN - Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as the new national team coach for France, replacing Didier Deschamps.

CNN - Zidane has confirmed that Mbappé will be the captain of the national team.

Sportskeeda - Frank Leboeuf criticized Mbappé for claiming he deserves to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or.

WHERE:

CNN - The Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place in London.

WHEN:

CNN - The Ballon d'Or ceremony is scheduled for October 26, 2026.

Sportskeeda - The La Liga match where Mbappé's performance was criticized took place on September 20.

NO_NEW_FACTS

CNN - The Ballon d'Or ceremony is scheduled for October 26, 2026.

CNN - The next men's World Cup is set for 2030.

CNN - On plans to enter the market with Mbappé's new design in 2027.

WHY:

CNN - Mbappé expressed that he wanted a change in his career, stating, “It’s a new chapter, a new challenge, a new opportunity, and I’m really happy about the situation right now.”

CNN - Mbappé believes the Ballon d'Or should be awarded to the best individual player, despite not winning any collective trophies last season.

CNN - Mbappé aims to build a legacy and evolve as a player and person through his new partnership with On.

HOW:

CNN - David Allemann, On-Founder and Co-CEO, explained that the new soccer boot will be created using a robotic arm that can spray a shoe in three minutes, allowing for precise adjustments.

CNN - David Allemann, On-Founder and Co-CEO, mentioned that the market entry for Mbappé's new design is planned for 2027.

CNN - David Allemann, On-Founder and Co-CEO, explained that the new soccer boot will be created using a robotic arm that can spray a shoe in three minutes, allowing for precise adjustments.

CNN - Allemann described the innovative process of creating the new soccer boot, mentioning that it involves spraying a shoe in three minutes with a robotic arm to create a "second skin" feel.

CNN - Mbappé is involved in developing a new soccer boot with On, utilizing robotic technology to create a "second skin" feel.

Frank Leboeuf and Fernando Palomo have both criticized Kylian Mbappé for his claims about deserving the 2026 Ballon d'Or, with Leboeuf stating that people view him as selfish and Palomo noting that Mbappé's recent performance in La Liga was not up to par for someone making such claims. In a related incident, Marcus Thuram stepped in to mediate a disagreement between Mbappé and Ousmane Dembele over the same award, while Cuti Romero expressed that Lionel Messi should win the Ballon d'Or every year until he retires. Meanwhile, David Allemann, co-founder and CEO of a sports company, announced that a new soccer boot will be produced using a robotic arm capable of spraying a shoe in just three minutes, allowing for precise adjustments.