Real Madrid to give Kylian Mbappe major boost in 2026 Ballon d’Or race – report | OneFootball

The 2026 Ballon d’Or is shaping up to become one of the most closely fought in recent history, with at least three players in the reckoning.

Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe is one of the favourites for the award after an incredible individual season, with Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane also on the list.

Mbappe will ultimately have to win the Ballon d’Or on the strength of his own performances, but Los Blancos will not leave their superstar alone.

The club have repeatedly shown that when they believe one of their players should win the award, they know how to make that message impossible to ignore.

According to L’Equipe, Madrid have traditionally made historic Madrid figures publicly reinforce the argument in the weeks leading up to the award.

Cristiano Ronaldo provides the blueprint

Kylian Mbappe could receive the Madrid push for the Ballon d’Or. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

The report points to Cristiano Ronaldo’s successful 2013 campaign as perhaps the clearest example.

Franck Ribery entered that race after winning the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup with Bayern Munich.

Ronaldo had not won a major team trophy that year, but Madrid strongly promoted his individual case.

Alfredo Di Stefano, Emilio Butragueno, Carlo Ancelotti, Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos were among the prominent Madrid voices who publicly supported Ronaldo.

Bayern’s situation was different. Ribery did not receive the same unified backing, partly because Arjen Robben was another candidate from the club.

Ronaldo eventually won with 27.99 percent of the vote, ahead of Lionel Messi on 24.72 and Ribery on 23.36.

Madrid could repeat the Cristiano Ronaldo trick with Mbappe this year. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Although some may deem it undeserved considering what Ribery had achieved, Ronaldo’s individual season made it impossible to look past him.

Mbappe could now receive the Madrid push

The Frenchman has already made his own case publicly, but Madrid can amplify it considerably.

When figures throughout an institution of Madrid’s size repeat the same message, it inevitably keeps their candidate at the centre of the conversation.

Of course, campaigning cannot manufacture a Ballon d’Or-winning season. Voters will ultimately judge Mbappe against Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane and other leading candidates.

In a close race, though, Madrid’s push could tilt a few votes in Mbappe’s favour, and it remains to be seen how they go about it.