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Ballon d’Or: France star Mbappé vows to dedicate prestigious award to Africa
23rd September, 2026 07:59 AM
Kylian Mbappé has opened up about the strong bond he shares with Africa, expressing his desire to dedicate the defining moments of his career to his ancestral roots.
In an interview with Radio France Internationale published on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, the French star—who has Cameroonian and Algerian heritage through his parents—discussed his deep attachment to the continent.
The France national team captain was born to a Cameroonian father, former football coach Wilfrid Mbappé, and Fayza Lamari, a woman of Algerian descent born and raised in France.
Never lost connection
“I’ve never severed ties with my roots and origins. I think it’s important because it’s part of who you are and the values you’re raised with,” the Real Madrid striker said.
“I have never lost the connection with my roots and my origins. Every time I go to Africa, I feel the incredible love from the people,” Mbappé said. “I have always felt welcomed and deeply loved across the continent. Hopefully, I can win the Ballon d’Or and somehow dedicate that achievement to them, too.”
During this summer’s FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mbappé etched his name into history by becoming the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 22 goals.
His stellar international campaign—where he bagged 10 goals to finish as the tournament’s top scorer—has significantly bolstered his case for the Ballon d’Or. Backed by these standout performances, the forward has made no secret of his ambitions, stating openly that he would be disappointed to miss out on the prestigious accolade.
“I had a great individual year, and I know that’s the most important criterion for the Ballon d’Or,” Mbappé noted. “I was the top scorer in all competitions. I would be disappointed not to win it, because when a competitor doesn’t win, he is disappointed.”
Africa and the Ballond’Or
With the winner set to be announced on October 26, 2026, it remains to be seen how his strong connection with African voters might influence the race, as voters from the continent make up roughly 20 percent of the Ballon d’Or voting panel.
The most prestigious individual award in football, handed out annually by France Football magazine, has historically reflected European football’s dominance. African-born players winning the award remain exceptionally rare, with George Weah standing as the only African winner to date in 1995—though legendary players of African descent have also claimed the honour in the past.
