Kylian Mbappe has been told the "timing is not right" for him to compete for the Ballon d'Or, even if he helps Real Madrid win the Club World Cup.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Mbappe had prolific debut season at RealBut ended up without a major trophyMalouda suggests 2025 Ballon d'Or is out of reachFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Mbappe completed a long-awaited move to Real Madrid last summer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain and has enjoyed a prolific first season with the Spanish giants. The France international scored 43 goals in 56 appearances across all competitions for Los Blancos, including 31 in La Liga to clinch the European Golden Shoe for the first time in his career.
AdvertisementGetty Images/GoalTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Mbappe also got his hands on the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup, but major silverware proved elusive for Real as they finished runners-up to arch rivals Barcelona in both La Liga and the Copa del Rey, while suffering a painful Champions League quarter-final defeat to Arsenal. It has been suggested that Real's failure on the biggest stages will prevent Mbappe from scooping the 2025 Ballon d'Or, with PSG's Ousmane Dembele and Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal now being billed as the frontrunners for the prestigious individual prize.
Watch every game of the FIFA Club World Cup live on DAZNStream nowWHAT MALOUDA SAID
Mbappe does have one final chance to boost his chances of Ballon d'Or success as Real head to the United States for the first edition of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup. However, former France and Chelsea star Florent Malouda does not think this is the year that the stars align for Mbappe as Los Blancos enter a transitional period under new head coach Xabi Alonso.
When asked whether Mbappe can challenge Yamal and Dembele for the Golden Ball if he fires Real to global glory on American soil, Malouda told GOAL: "Kylian Mbappe is always a Ballon d’Or contender and always will be. When you look at his numbers, his personality and his personal ambitions, it’s his dream to achieve that. He wants to break all records and he wants to compete for these individual awards.
"Regarding Real Madrid, they are in a transition. They lost the manager and for a number nine it all depends on the balance of the team and how confident they are. He is in a new position in that nine and he is playing in a competitive environment when it comes to Barcelona, in which they lost all four times.
"They are competing against top European teams, world-class teams and they still look vulnerable. I don't think it's the right timing for him to compete for individual awards at the moment. The goal will be about being involved in building a strong, strong team for next year."
Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?
Mbappe played down his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or this year after starring for France during the latest international break. The Real superstar scored in Les Bleus' Nations League semi-final defeat to Spain and their third-place play-off victory over Germany, but he still feels Golden Ball recognition is out of his control.
"I'm not the one who gives it (the Ballon d'Or) out. I have opinions, and I've had different opinions about the last winners, by the way," he said. "The only trophy that depends solely on my feet is the Golden Shoe. The rest, I don't vote for."
