Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin makes Ballon d’Or choice clear: ‘Mbappe is the best’ | OneFootball

With about three weeks to go before the Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place, the excitement is palpable over who will secure the prestigious individual honour for 2026.

For the first time in years, the award is closely contested with no clear favourite, and Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe is in with a good shout.

Los Blancos reserve goalkeeper Andriy Lunin has thrown his support behind Kylian Mbappe in the Ballon d’Or debate.

Lunin backs Mbappe for Ballon d’Or

Speaking to El Chiringuito reporter Marcos Benito, Lunin was asked about his teammate in reference to the award.

“The Ballon d’Or is clear: Mbappe is the best,” Lunin said.

It is an emphatic endorsement from inside the Real Madrid dressing room at a time when the race for the award continues to generate plenty of discussion.

Lunin has made his Ballon d’Or choice clear. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Lunin sees Mbappe’s level at closer quarters than most.

The pair work together at Valdebebas, and the goalkeeper clearly has no hesitation when judging the Frenchman’s place among the leading candidates.

Madrid players and even former icons have all thrown their weight behind the Frenchman publicly this summer.

Los Blancos are doing everything they can to promote Mbappe for the award ahead of other superstars.

Lunin relaxed about Mbappe recovery

The goalkeeper was also asked about Mbappe’s current injury situation, after the Frenchman injured his knee against Turkey.

“He is a professional, he has his recovery plan,” Lunin said.

Mbappe returned injured from international duty and was absent from Valdebebas for two consecutive days, creating questions over where and how his recovery was taking place.

Real Madrid are backing Kylian Mbappe for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Lunin’s comments offer an explanation from the squad: Mbappe has a specific recovery plan and is following it.

A real case for Mbappe

The Ballon d’Or is an award given to recognise individual performances, and Mbappe sat in a league of his own in this regard last season.

However, the only thing that could become an issue for him is that his individual contributions failed to result in a collective trophy for his team.

The voting for the Ballon d’Or is already over, and anything that happens between now and 26 October will not influence the result.

However, there is a case to be made that no other player in the world did more to deserve the award than Mbappe.

His phenomenal World Cup campaign should go a long way towards underlining that fact, and it remains to be seen who the award goes to in a few weeks’ time.