Sergio Ramos Tips Kylian Mbappe to Win Five Ballons d’Or Despite Trophyless Real Madrid Season
Backing from a Legend: Ramos Supports Mbappe Over Dembele, Yamal and Raphinha in Individual Awards Debate
Even in a season where silverware eluded Real Madrid on the domestic and European fronts, Kylian Mbappe still managed to grab headlines. Not just for his explosive pace and trademark goals, but for his ability to carry an attacking load that very few players in world football could shoulder. Now, amid the Ballon d’Or chatter that traditionally follows a long European season, one of football’s most decorated veterans has stepped in to give his take—Sergio Ramos is standing firmly in Mbappe’s corner.
The former Spain and Real Madrid captain, who shared the Paris Saint-Germain dressing room with Mbappe between 2021 and 2023, believes the Frenchman’s remarkable individual performances this year outweigh any lack of silverware. In fact, Ramos believes that Mbappe is not just in contention for this year’s Ballon d’Or, but could go on to win multiple in the near future.
Mbappe’s Debut Season at Real Madrid: Goals Galore, Trophies Sparse
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Kylian Mbappe arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu last summer with monumental expectations resting on his shoulders. After years of flirtation with Los Blancos, the French superstar finally made the move from PSG. But while Madridistas expected an instant golden age, what they got instead was a season of growing pains and scattered highs.
Mbappe’s early months in Spain were far from seamless. Though he lifted both the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup during the first half of the campaign, those minor trophies did little to silence questions over his fit in Carlo Ancelotti’s system.
Yet, by mid-season, the 26-year-old had begun to silence the critics—not with statements, but with goals. Lots of them. He finished the campaign with 43 goals in 56 appearances across all competitions, including a record-breaking 31 La Liga strikes that earned him the European Golden Shoe. Even without the collective success fans had hoped for, Mbappe had left an indelible mark.
Ramos Weighs in: “He Has the Talent for Five Ballons d’Or”
Speaking during a press conference with Monterrey—his current club in Mexico—Sergio Ramos was asked about this year’s Ballon d’Or race and didn’t hesitate to throw his support behind his former teammate.
“I always give it to Mbappe,” Ramos said, cracking a knowing smile. “Not just out of friendship, but also because he has put in some impressive performances. It’s a decisive trophy, but you never know what the criteria are for the Ballon d’Or. He scores goals, won the Golden Boot—even though Madrid hasn’t won other titles that other teams have won.”
For Ramos, the Ballon d’Or is about more than just the team trophy cabinet. It’s a celebration of the individual. In that light, Mbappe’s explosive campaign—despite Madrid’s failure to capture La Liga, the Copa del Rey, or defend their Champions League title—still makes him a worthy candidate.
“If it were up to me,” Ramos continued, “I think Kylian would have the peace of mind of taking home four or five Ballons d’Or in five or ten years. He has the talent, even if Madrid didn’t have a year full of titles, he had a great season and showed that he was a player of this level.”
No Major Trophies, But Unmatched Influence
Madrid’s season wasn’t what fans had dreamed of. Barcelona ended up claiming both the league title and the Copa del Rey, while a humiliating 5-1 aggregate defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals spelled an early end to their European ambitions. Still, Mbappe’s numbers were dazzling.
He broke records. He delivered in big games. He lit up the Bernabeu even on nights when Real Madrid fell short. That ability to consistently rise above the moment is, in Ramos’ eyes, what separates Ballon d’Or winners from the rest of the elite.
The contrast with contenders like Ousmane Dembele, Raphinha, and rising star Lamine Yamal—who all enjoyed more successful seasons in terms of team honours—is notable. Yet, none of them reached the same level of individual output that Mbappe managed.
The Ballon d’Or Debate: What Really Matters?
Each year, the Ballon d’Or conversation circles the same debate: should team success be the ultimate yardstick for an individual award? Or should pure performance and consistency define greatness?
Ramos’ take reflects a growing view among players and fans alike. “It’s the little details that will make the difference, and in the end, it depends on one’s own opinion,” he said. “These are individual awards, not collective ones.”
It’s a fair point. Some of football’s most iconic Ballon d’Or wins—think George Weah in 1995 or Luka Modric in 2018—weren’t solely based on stacked trophy hauls. They were acknowledgements of influence, artistry, and resilience.
And by that logic, Mbappe, who carried Real Madrid’s attack, scored in crucial matches, and added a Golden Shoe to his collection, has every right to be in the spotlight.
What Lies Ahead for Mbappe and Ramos?
With Real Madrid about to open their Club World Cup campaign against Al-Hilal, Mbappe will be eager to return to the scoresheet and perhaps claim some overdue team silverware. The global tournament is another chance for him to showcase why he’s been tipped as the face of football’s future.
As for Ramos, now 38, his journey in Mexico with Monterrey continues. His side faces a tough clash against Champions League finalists Inter, and while the competition level may differ, the fire inside the former Madrid captain clearly still burns.
A Future Paved with Gold?
Whether or not Mbappe wins the Ballon d’Or this year, it seems inevitable that he will at some point. The raw numbers, the eye test, and the support of peers like Ramos all suggest that his time will come—possibly many times.
His first year in Madrid may not have been perfect in terms of trophies, but it was still a declaration of intent. And as Ramos pointed out, this may only be the beginning of a long Ballon d’Or journey for the Frenchman.
In the ever-complicated game of football recognition, perhaps the clearest indicator of greatness isn’t medals or titles—but the respect of those who’ve already walked the path. And in that department, Mbappe is already miles ahead.
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