Luis Figo: Kylian Mbappe remains a top contender for the 2026 Ballon d'Or

Legendary football figure and former Real Madrid star Luis Figo recently discussed the most pressing issues in modern football. In his view, Kylian Mbappe remains one of the strongest candidates to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or following his brilliant performance at the World Cup. This was reported by ixbt.com, citing Figo's comments during a Betfair event. This is reported by Goal.com reports.

Mbappe has long been considered a primary contender for the title of the world's best player. His international success, particularly his prolific scoring in World Cups, further reinforces these projections. Although the French national team finished the last tournament in fourth place, Mbappe won the Golden Boot with 10 goals, becoming the top scorer in the competition's history.

Criteria for the Ballon d'Or and new candidates

Luis Figo emphasized that when awarding the prize, not only national team performance but also club-level success is decisive. "Mbappe deserves to win with his incredible performances. However, we must take into account the results shown throughout the year. Victories in domestic leagues and the Champions League also play an important role among the criteria," said the Portuguese legend.

Figo also mentioned some representatives of Paris Saint-Germain as surprise candidates. In particular, he praised the consistent play of players like Vitinha and Desire Doue last season. In his opinion, these players deserve a place on the elite list due to the results they achieved with their club.

On Rodri and the Real Madrid transfer

During the conversation, rumors surrounding Manchester City midfielder Rodri were also addressed. Currently, various reports are circulating about attracting this player to Madrid's "Galacticos" project. Rodri is seen as an ideal candidate for the Madrid team due to his tactical intelligence and consistency.

However, Figo warned that this transfer would not be easy to execute. "Rodri is a fantastic player and he would fit a club like Real Madrid. But we must not forget that he has a current contract with Manchester City. Of course, Real Madrid always wants to add the best players in the world to their squad, but transfers of this level are a complex process," he added.

In conclusion, Figo duly acknowledged the Spanish national team's victory in the World Cup. According to him, "La Roja" was the only team to display the most beautiful and effective football throughout the tournament. The consistency and defensive solidity of the Spaniards were highlighted as the main factors that rightfully led them to the championship podium.