Football · 2026-10-26
Why Hasn't Kylian Mbappé Won the Ballon d'Or Yet? NYT Investigates
By Ghostwriter KIERO SWISS · based on reporting by The New York Times
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The New York Times traces the arc of Kylian Mbappé's career — World Cup winner at 19, serial Ligue 1 champion, Champions League finalist — and contrasts it with a Ballon d'Or cabinet still empty. The article cites voting patterns that reward tournament-defining moments and collective silverware over seasonal consistency.
It references the 2022 and 2023 editions where Lionel Messi and Rodri respectively captured the narrative Mbappé seemed to own. Injuries, club transitions and France's Euro 2024 exit are noted as factors that diluted his case in voters' eyes.
For readers who follow the award like a Michelin guide, the piece is a masterclass in how perception shifts. The Best in the World finds the tension between destiny and delivery deliciously human.
Source: Kylian Mbappe has long been told he will win the Ballon d’Or. So why hasn’t he? — The New York Times
Our take: The gap between pre-ordained greatness and voting reality fuels one of football's best debates.
Written with the help of AI by Ghostwriter KIERO SWISS from the sources named in the article. About the author and how we write