I always think I’m the best – Mbappé speaks on Ballon d’Or chances

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé believes 2026 could be the year he finally wins the Ballon d’Or, insisting that his individual performances have put him in contention for the prestigious award.

The France captain made the comments on Monday, September 7, 2026, during a press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s opening Champions League fixture against Inter Milan.

Mbappé, who is yet to win the Ballon d’Or, said he feels he has a strong case for the award despite ending the 2025/26 season without a major trophy with Real Madrid.

“I think when you play for Real Madrid, the best club in the world, people associate you with this award,” Mbappé said.

“There are many people that speak about me and the Ballon d’Or. Of course I’ve made history in the most important competition. Maybe it’s a good year for this but people can vote according to what they think.”

The 27-year-old enjoyed a prolific individual campaign with Real Madrid, scoring 42 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions during the 2025/26 season.

He finished as La Liga’s top scorer with 25 goals and also led the Champions League scoring charts with 15 goals. Real Madrid recognised him as the club’s Player of the Season after his outstanding campaign. (Real Madrid)

Despite Mbappé’s remarkable numbers, Real Madrid ended the campaign without a major trophy, a factor that could affect his chances when voters assess the leading candidates for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Mbappé’s international achievements have also strengthened his individual case.

At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the France captain scored 10 goals to win the tournament’s Golden Boot, while taking his overall World Cup tally to 22 goals.

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That total moved him above Lionel Messi’s 21 and made Mbappé the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history. France, however, finished fourth after losing their third-place play-off. (20 Minutes)

Asked whether he considers himself the best player in the world, Mbappé made no attempt to hide his confidence.

“I always think I’m the best [player in the world] but everyone has their own opinion,” he said.

“Maybe people think different ways. I don’t think it’s a discussion we need to have.”

He nevertheless acknowledged that winning the Ballon d’Or is ultimately beyond his control because the award is decided by journalists.

“Of course this year could be good for me to win the Ballon d’Or. But journalists vote,” he added.

Mbappé’s best previous finish in the Ballon d’Or voting came in 2023, when he finished third behind Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland while playing for Paris Saint-Germain.

The 2026 race is again expected to be highly competitive, with several players regarded as serious contenders.

Harry Kane is among the leading favourites after scoring 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern Munich during the club’s 2025/26 campaign, while Lamine Yamal and Rodri are also prominent names in the race.

The final 30-player Ballon d’Or shortlist is scheduled to be announced on September 8, with the award ceremony set for October 26, 2026, in London. (OddsShopper)

Mbappé’s individual record remains one of the strongest aspects of his candidacy.

Since joining Real Madrid, he has scored 90 goals in 107 matches, while his 42-goal haul in 2025/26 followed a 44-goal debut campaign.

His 42 goals last season included 25 in La Liga, 15 in the Champions League and two in the Copa del Rey, according to Real Madrid. (Real Madrid)

The French forward also continued his remarkable record of winning scoring titles.

He has claimed eight consecutive league Golden Boots, including six in Ligue 1 and two in La Liga, while also winning the World Cup Golden Boot twice and finishing as the Champions League’s leading scorer twice.

However, one notable gap remains in his club career: Champions League success.

Mbappé won the 2018 World Cup with France and has collected numerous individual honours, but he has yet to lift the Champions League trophy.

His former club Paris Saint-Germain won the Champions League after his departure, adding another talking point to discussions surrounding his club career.

Mbappé, however, said he is not concerned about PSG’s success since his departure.

“I can’t change it,” he said.

“The truth is that I really don’t care. I know how to analyse football, I know why. I don’t know everything about football but I know more than most.”

Rather than focusing on what his former club has achieved, Mbappé said his priority is helping Real Madrid compete for trophies under manager José Mourinho.

Speaking about Madrid’s recent lack of silverware, he said his experience at the Spanish club had taught him not to look too far ahead.

“My experience with Real Madrid says I shouldn’t think too long-term because a lot can change,” Mbappé said.

“I want to think how I can be ready, to help my team to win the game and to start the Champions League in a good way.”

Mbappé’s comments come after Real Madrid suffered their first defeat of the 2026/27 La Liga season, losing 1-0 to Real Betis on September 4.

The French forward had a late opportunity to rescue a point but saw his stoppage-time penalty saved by Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles. (Reuters)

He will now have an immediate opportunity to respond when Real Madrid begin their Champions League campaign against Inter Milan.

While Mbappé’s lack of major team trophies could count against him in the Ballon d’Or voting, his individual numbers, World Cup Golden Boot and record-breaking World Cup tally give him a strong platform.

The final decision, however, will rest with the journalists casting their votes.

For Mbappé, the ambition is clear: after finishing third in 2023 and coming close on previous occasions, he believes 2026 could finally be the year he wins the Ballon d’Or for the first time.

I always think I’m the best – Mbappé speaks on Ballon d’Or chances

Osimhen Scores Sixth Goal, Suffers Injury Scare in Galatasaray’s Dramatic Win

Victor Osimhen continued his blistering start to the season, scoring his sixth goal in four league games before being forced off with a suspected groin injury as Galatasaray snatched a dramatic 3-2 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir on Friday night at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium. The Nigerian striker broke the deadlock in the 16th minute after Lucas Torreira intercepted a pass and found Osimhen on the right edge of the box. His powerful shot crashed against the underside of the crossbar, and after the referee initially allowed play to continue, a VAR review confirmed the ball had fully crossed the line. This goal marked a remarkable achievement for the former Napoli forward, who has now contributed to the score in 15 of his last 16 Super Lig appearances. His six goals in four weeks represent the club’s best start by a foreign signing since Mario Jardel’s seven goals in the opening four weeks of the 2000-2001 season.

Osimhen’s night was cut short just 17 minutes after his goal. In the 32nd minute, he sustained what is believed to be a groin injury while pressing an opponent, immediately signalling to the bench that he could not continue. He was replaced by Barış Alper Yılmaz in the 33rd minute. Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk confirmed after the match that Osimhen had experienced groin discomfort and will undergo an MRI scan to determine the extent of the injury. Midfielder Mario Lemina also suffered a groin issue and was substituted at half-time, with Buruk expressing hope that both players would be available for the upcoming Champions League match against Sporting. The injury has also raised immediate concerns for the Nigerian national team, with the Super Eagles preparing for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers later this month. Nigeria are scheduled to face Madagascar on September 23 before travelling to Guinea-Bissau four days later.

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The game took several dramatic turns without Galatasaray’s star striker. Basaksehir equalised from the penalty spot in the 66th minute through Eldor Shomurodov after a controversial foul by Roland Sallai on Fayzullayev, a decision that sparked strong protests from the Galatasaray bench. Galatasaray responded swiftly, regaining the lead in the 71st minute. Rafael Leao, making his debut after his move from AC Milan, played a key role in the build-up, combining with Barış Alper Yılmaz and Ismail Jakobs before Torreira fired home from close range for his second goal involvement of the night. However, the hosts levelled again just five minutes later when Davinson Sanchez inadvertently headed a corner into his own net in the 76th minute. Basaksehir were then reduced to ten men when Umut Bozok received a straight red card in the 79th minute for a reckless challenge on Leao.

With the numerical advantage, Galatasaray pushed for a winner. Gabriel Sara provided the decisive moment in stoppage time, curling a spectacular free-kick into the net to hand the visitors all three points. The victory keeps Galatasaray’s strong start to the season intact as they sit at the top of the Super Lig table with 10 points from four matches. However, attention will now turn to the extent of Osimhen’s injury, with the club eagerly awaiting the results of his MRI scan ahead of crucial fixtures in both domestic and European competition. Galatasaray fans will be hoping the Nigerian superstar’s injury is not serious, as his goalscoring form has been instrumental to the team’s early-season success. The club’s medical team is expected to provide an update on Osimhen’s condition in the coming days.

Osimhen Scores Sixth Goal, Suffers Injury Scare in Galatasaray’s Dramatic Win

LSSC Boss Meets Teen Squash Star Over Viral Video, Promises Action on LG Hurdle

When a young athlete’s equipment is locked away behind bureaucratic walls, it is not just a racket that is lost—it is a dream, a medal, and a future. That was the painful reality for 15-year-old squash sensation Mariam (Tanimola) Oshodi, who was forced to miss a crucial regional tournament after officials from Surulere Local Government sealed her mother’s shop, trapping her sports gear inside. The incident, which sparked outrage after a viral video surfaced on TikTok, has now prompted a high-level intervention from the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) . On Wednesday, the commission’s Director-General, Lekan Fatodu, personally met with Mariam and her mother, Kafayat (Abike) Oshodi, to address the matter, offer immediate support, and chart a path forward to ensure such administrative hurdles never rob another young talent of their shot at glory.

The sequence of events that led to Mariam’s heartbreaking withdrawal from the tournament began with a routine local government exercise. Mariam, who proudly represents Lagos State in the U-15 squash category, had been training rigorously for a regional competition, and her squash racket—the very tool of her trade—was stored in her mother’s shop. However, when Mariam arrived to retrieve it, she found the shop locked by local government officials, who reportedly cited environmental sanitation infractions as justification for the action. According to Mrs. Oshodi, the family had made every effort to keep the premises clean, yet the officials proceeded with the lockdown regardless. Matters worsened when, while she was away out of town, her daughter took matters into her own hands. In the now-viral video, Kafayat Oshodi emotionally recounted how her daughter took some of the medals she had won in previous competitions to the local government office, showing them to the officials in the hope that her achievements would convince them of the racket’s importance to her career. She alleged, however, that the officials still refused to give the young athlete access to the shop, leaving her helpless, without her equipment, and ultimately unable to compete—a devastating blow for a rising star who had worked tirelessly to earn her place on the national stage.

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Following the public outcry generated by the video, the Lagos State Sports Commission acted swiftly and decisively. During Wednesday’s meeting with the Oshodi family, DG Lekan Fatodu listened intently to their ordeal and assured them that the commission would not treat this as an isolated incident. He reiterated the administration’s unwavering commitment to youth development, stating that the dream of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is to see young talents discovered in Lagos and nurtured to their full potential, and that any action by anyone or any entity that seeks to negate that lofty ambition for youth empowerment through sports would be a massive disservice to efforts on talent development. He confirmed that the commission would immediately engage the Surulere Local Government to discuss the incident and prevent a repeat of such administrative missteps, making it clear that bureaucratic barriers have no place in the state’s sports development agenda.

While appreciating the consistent support the commission has shown her daughter over the years, Mrs. Oshodi used the meeting to issue a heartfelt plea for greater systemic collaboration. She urged the commission to strengthen its engagement with other government institutions so that administrative actions do not inadvertently sabotage the dreams of young athletes—especially young girls in sports, who often face additional barriers to participation. Her call for stronger inter-agency communication has resonated widely across social media, with many Nigerians applauding her courage and calling for systemic change in how local authorities interact with community members, particularly families raising children in competitive sports. The mother’s appeal has underscored a critical gap in governance: the need for all arms of government to recognise and protect the aspirations of young sporting talents, regardless of which agency holds the keys to their future.

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In a significant and forward-looking move, DG Fatodu outlined a three-pronged strategy to ensure that no young athlete suffers a similar fate in the future. First, the commission will activate a robust policy framework designed to safeguard athletes’ access to training equipment and facilities, even when administrative actions are carried out by other government agencies. Second, it will establish improved communication channels, including dedicated hotlines and digital platforms, for parents and young athletes to report urgent concerns, ensuring swift resolution of issues that could affect competition participation. Third, the commission will intensify cross-government awareness campaigns across all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to educate officials on the critical need to protect and support emerging sporting talents in Lagos State. These measures, Fatodu explained, are not merely reactive but are part of a broader vision to institutionalise athlete welfare and prevent future incidents through proactive governance.

This timely intervention comes at a pivotal moment for Lagos sports, as the state prepares to host the maiden National Intermediate Games, EKO 2026, scheduled from October 1 to 15—a landmark event that underscores Governor Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to grassroots sports development. With millions of naira invested in sporting infrastructure and talent identification programmes, the LSSC is keen to send a clear message that Lagos is open for sports business, and it will not allow bureaucratic red tape to dim the shine of its young champions. The state is positioning itself as a national hub for sports excellence, and cases like Mariam’s only strengthen the resolve of policymakers to build a more athlete-friendly ecosystem from the ground up.

Looking ahead, the Oshodi family has expressed gratitude for the commission’s swift response and remains hopeful that Mariam will bounce back stronger from this setback. The young squash player, who has already amassed a collection of medals in her young career, is determined to return to the court and continue her journey toward representing Nigeria on the international stage. For now, the Lagos State Sports Commission has pledged to follow up with the local government and ensure that all parties are aligned in the mission to empower, not hinder, the next generation of Nigerian athletes. The coming weeks will be critical as the commission translates its policy promises into concrete actions, and all eyes will be on Surulere to see how local authorities respond to this wake-up call.

LSSC Boss Meets Teen Squash Star Over Viral Video, Promises Action on LG Hurdle