Thibaut Courtois Backs Kylian Mbappé as His Top Contender for the Ballon d'Or

In an interview with DAZN Belgium, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois voiced strong support for his teammate Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Ballon d'Or. The Belgian shot-stopper emphasized the 27-year-old French forward's exceptional individual performances, arguing that nobody outperformed him over the course of the season, even though the Spanish club did not secure collective trophies.

Courtois also acknowledged the stellar year of Barcelona's young prodigy Lamine Yamal—highlighting his World Cup triumph and La Liga title—while questioning the criteria used for the Ballon d'Or, referencing Rodri's 2024 victory over Real Madrid's nominees. For Courtois, the eternal dilemma remains finding the right balance between standout individual displays and team achievements.