Mbappe aims for Ballon d'Or after record World Cup goals with Real Madrid

Paris Saint‑Germain forward Kylian Mbappé, who completed his €180 million move to Real Madrid last summer, begins the 2024‑25 UEFA Champions League campaign amid heightened expectations. The French striker concluded the 2022 World Cup with a record‑tying eight goals, a performance that propelled him into the conversation for the 2023 Ballon d’Or. Real Madrid, seeking to reclaim European dominance after a season without a title, have positioned Mbappé as the focal point of their attack alongside veteran Karim Benzema and emerging talent Vinícius Júnior.

Club officials and the player himself have indicated that a deep run in the Champions League will be pivotal to his individual ambitions. Mbappé’s debut in the group stage against Manchester City will test his adaptation to Carlo Ancelotti’s system and his ability to deliver against elite opposition. While Real Madrid aim to secure a place in the knockout rounds, Mbappé’s pursuit of the Ballon d’Or will hinge on consistent goal‑scoring, decisive performances in Europe, and maintaining the form that earned him the World Cup accolade.