Despite that, in a conversation tied to a new sponsorship deal with sportswear brand On, Mbappé argued that individual brilliance should still be rewarded on its own merits, even in a team sport. He explained that while football is inherently collective, the Ballon d'Or exists specifically to honor whichever player proves himself the best across the year's major competitions. His main competition for the award appears to be Barcelona's rising star Lamine Yamal and Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane, while Lionel Messi also has support to potentially win a record-extending ninth trophy following his performances with Argentina at the World Cup.
A Record-Breaking Tournament Despite Falling Short
Even though France fell short of winning the World Cup, Mbappé still walked away with a piece of history. At just 27 years old, he became the tournament's all-time leading scorer, netting his 22nd career World Cup goal during the third-place match against England. He described the achievement as something he never could have imagined growing up, especially having idolized so many legendary players and athletes throughout his childhood. Reaching that milestone at his current age, he said, still feels surreal and represents an important part of the legacy he hopes to build over time.
It's one of many remarkable records Mbappé has racked up throughout his career, which makes his lack of a Ballon d'Or win all the more notable. When asked whether the absence bothered him, he said it wasn't a source of frustration, but admitted that as a competitor, he naturally wants to win every major honor available to him, adding that all players share that same drive.
New Era Begins for France Under Zidane
Regardless of who takes home the award at the ceremony in London on October 26, this year already marks a turning point for Mbappé on the international stage. Longtime France head coach Didier Deschamps stepped down after the World Cup, meaning Mbappé will now play under a new national team manager for the first time in his senior career. Taking over the role is Zinedine Zidane, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in French football history, who previously led Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles before now stepping into his first-ever role coaching a national team. Zidane has already named Mbappé as his captain as France begins building toward the next World Cup in 2030.
Mbappé expressed excitement about starting this new chapter with Zidane at the helm, noting that expectations remain high for the team following a strong but ultimately unfulfilled run at this year's World Cup. He said the squad proved it belongs among the best in the world, but acknowledged there's still work to do on the finer details needed to actually become the best. Still, he stressed that the tournament experience brought joy to fans worldwide, even if the ultimate goal wasn't achieved.
Beyond his national team duties, Mbappé also recently ended a nearly two-decade partnership with Nike to join On, marking the Swiss brand's first entry into the soccer world. As part of the deal, he will serve as a global ambassador and collaborate directly with the company's product teams, including work on their robotic shoe-manufacturing technology. Mbappé described the move as a fresh start tied to personal growth, both as an athlete and as an individual, calling it the ideal opportunity to begin building a new legacy from the ground up. He has reportedly been closely involved in designing what he hopes will feel like a true second skin on the field, with the brand expected to officially enter the soccer market in 2027.
