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Former Real Madrid star Luis Figo has shared his thoughts on why he believes forward Kylian Mbappe is unlikely to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or. Despite Mbappe’s accomplishments, his debut season with Real Madrid was a mixed one, as the club fell short of securing any major titles. Figo, himself a former Ballon d’Or winner, dismissed Mbappe’s chances of clinching the prestigious award, citing his inability to guide the team to significant silverware as a key factor. The Frenchman had a mixed debut campaign with the Spanish giants, falling short of major silverware despite impressive individual performances. In an interview with AS, Figo dismissed Mbappe’s chances of winning the award, highlighting his inability to guide the team to significant trophies as a key reason.
"Things weren't so great at first, but he's done well since then. He's scored a lot of goals and has adapted to playing for Real Madrid, which is totally different from playing for any other team. What could rule him out for individual trophies is his lack of major team titles, but we'll see what happens. He's a name that's always on the lists of the best in the world, there's no doubt about it," he said.
Kylian Mbappe needs to sustain the brilliance in season, Lui Figo
Figo also drew from his own journey as the 2000 Ballon d’Or winner, noting how crucial timing was in his triumph. He pointed out that he secured the honor during a year when Real Madrid’s Galácticos were at their peak. Highlighting the importance of both personal performance and team achievements, Figo suggested that for Mbappé to have a real shot at the 2025 award, he would need a season defined by consistent excellence and major silverware.
Meanwhile, French football expert and journalist Jonathan Johnson also rubbished the chances of Mbappe's winning the title. "I think, specific to Mbappe and Real Madrid’s situation, it would be ridiculous for Mbappe’s Ballon d’Or weight to hinge solely on scoring a handful of goals and helping them win the Club World Cup. But there’s a lot of nonsense in modern football, unfortunately. I’m not going to say it will happen, but I wouldn’t rule out some stupidity like that either."
Mbappé finished his debut season with a good score, with 43 goals in all competitions for the Spanish giants. His impressive tally included 31 goals in LaLiga, earning him the Pichichi Trophy ahead of Robert Lewandowski and securing his first-ever European Golden Shoe.
