Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
Real Madrid forward and France captain Kylian Mbappé has said he hopes to dedicate the 2026 Ballon d’Or to Africa if he wins the prestigious individual football award.
Mbappé made the remarks during an interview with Radio France Internationale (RFI) on September 22, 2026, while discussing his African heritage and the support he has received from the continent during his career.
The 27-year-old, whose father, Wilfrid Mbappé, is from Cameroon and whose mother, Fayza Lamari, has Algerian roots, said he has maintained a strong connection with his African heritage despite being born and raised in France.
Mbappé Reflects on His African Roots
Mbappé said his upbringing was influenced by African culture and that he had never severed his connection with his family origins.
He also recalled a recent visit to Cameroon, where he spent time as a child, describing the experience positively and highlighting the reception he has received whenever he visits Africa.
His comments came in response to questions about his relationship with the continent and the support he has received from African football fans and journalists.
“I’ve never cut ties with my roots and my origins,” Mbappé said during the RFI interview, according to reports of the interview.
Message to African Ballon d’Or Voters
Mbappé also thanked African journalists and supporters who have backed him during previous Ballon d’Or campaigns.
He said he has consistently felt welcomed when visiting the continent and expressed his hope that he could win the award and dedicate it to his African supporters.
“I hope to be able to walk away with the Ballon d’Or and, in one way or another, dedicate it to them too,” he said.
The comments have attracted attention because journalists from around the world participate in the Ballon d’Or voting process, including representatives from African countries.
Some reports have interpreted Mbappé’s remarks as an appeal to African voters, although there is no established evidence that he made the statement specifically as a campaign strategy. What is directly documented is that he thanked African voters and supporters and linked a potential victory to his African heritage.
Mbappé’s 2026 Ballon d’Or Campaign
Mbappé is among the players competing for the 2026 Ballon d’Or after another prolific individual campaign.
Reports on his 2025–26 season say he finished as the leading scorer in both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League and also became the leading scorer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His World Cup performance also strengthened his individual statistical record. Reports say he reached 22 World Cup goals, making him the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.
However, the Ballon d’Or is determined through voting rather than individual statistics alone, with journalists assessing players based on the award’s established criteria.
Mbappé has yet to win the men’s Ballon d’Or despite being among the leading candidates in previous years.
Africa’s Connection to the Ballon d’Or
Mbappé’s African heritage has been a recurring part of his public identity.
His father has Cameroonian origins, while his mother has Algerian roots. Although Mbappé represents France internationally and was born and raised in the Paris region, he has repeatedly spoken about his relationship with the countries connected to his family background.
Africa also has a historic connection to the Ballon d’Or through George Weah, the former Liberia international who became the first and only African player to win the men’s award when he received it in 1995.
Weah’s victory remains a landmark moment in African football history and established an important precedent for players from the continent on the global stage.
Mbappé is not an African international player, but his family heritage has made his relationship with the continent a recurring subject in discussions surrounding his career.
Ballon d’Or Ceremony Set for October
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to take place in London on October 26, 2026. Reports indicate that voting is currently taking place ahead of the ceremony, with the final result to be determined through the official voting process.
Mbappé’s comments therefore come during the final stage of the award process.
The French forward has openly expressed his desire to win the prize, while his latest remarks have placed additional attention on his relationship with African supporters.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus is now on the completion of the 2026 Ballon d’Or voting process and the announcement of the winner at the October 26 ceremony in London.
Mbappé will have to wait for the final voting outcome before knowing whether he will claim his first Ballon d’Or.
If he wins, his stated intention is to dedicate the award, at least in part, to Africa and the supporters who have backed him.
For African football audiences, the development also highlights the continuing global influence of African heritage in elite football, even when players represent national teams outside the continent.
Weng Global – stories beyond borders
Sources
- Radio France Internationale (RFI)
- Vanguard
- Punch
- Gulf News
- Associated Press/AFP reporting as referenced by the cited reports
