Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has added another individual honour to his growing collection after winning the Onze d’Or award for the best player of the 2025/26 season, strengthening his position among the leading contenders ahead of the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
The France international secured the prestigious recognition after receiving 48.2 per cent of the votes cast by readers of French football magazine Onze Mondial. Real Madrid announced his victory on Monday, October 19, marking the first time Mbappé has won the award in his career.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder João Neves finished second with 11.9 per cent of the votes, while teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia came third with 10.8 per cent.
The result represents a significant personal achievement for Mbappé, whose goalscoring performances have continued to place him among the most influential players in world football.
The 27-year-old enjoyed an outstanding individual campaign, finishing as the leading scorer in both the UEFA Champions League and Spain’s La Liga during the 2025/26 season, according to Real Madrid.
His achievements also extended to the international stage, where he won the Golden Boot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and became the tournament’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Those accomplishments have strengthened his reputation as one of football’s most prolific forwards and helped him secure the backing of readers who voted for him ahead of several other leading names in European football.
However, the Onze d’Or triumph comes with an important distinction. Unlike the Ballon d’Or, which is organised by France Football, the Onze d’Or is awarded through a public vote conducted by Onze Mondial. The two honours are separate awards and have different voting processes.
Nevertheless, Mbappé’s latest recognition arrives at a particularly interesting moment, with the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony scheduled for October 26 in London.
The timing is likely to intensify discussions about whether the Real Madrid forward can convert his impressive individual performances into football’s most celebrated individual prize.
Winning the Onze d’Or does not guarantee success in the Ballon d’Or race, but it provides another indication of the recognition Mbappé has received for his performances over the past season.
The award has a long history, having been established in 1976 by the French magazine Onze, which was later renamed Onze Mondial. Over the years, its winners have included some of the most recognisable names in football, among them Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Michel Platini.
Messi holds the record for the most Onze d’Or victories, with five awards to his name.
Mbappé now joins that distinguished list, following in the footsteps of previous winners such as Karim Benzema, Erling Haaland, Vinícius Júnior and Ousmane Dembélé.
For the French forward, the latest honour offers another milestone in a career built around extraordinary pace, clinical finishing and an ability to influence matches at the highest level.
Yet the bigger question remains whether the recognition from Onze Mondial will be followed by success at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
With the London event approaching, attention will turn to how Mbappé’s performances compare with those of his principal rivals and whether his individual statistics will be enough to secure the ultimate individual accolade.
For now, the Real Madrid star can celebrate his first Onze d’Or victory, another significant achievement in a season that has further elevated his standing among the world’s leading footballers.
