The case for Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe winning the Ballon d’Or

The case for Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe winning the Ballon d’Or There is a clear distinction between form and class and Kylian Mbappe showcased that on full display during Barcelona’s clash against Real Madrid on Sunday evening. The Frenchman scored both of Real Madrid’s goals as Jose Mourinho’s side secured a 2-1 win over a Barcelona team that had won every single game in La Liga. Mbappe’s performance was once again a reminder of his quality ahead of the Ballon d’Or ceremony later tonight, knowing the Frenchman has a good chance of winning the award in in London. Mbappe’s case for wining the Ballon d’Or Mbappe made history at the World Cup. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) Let’s still look at why Mbappe deserves to win the Ballon d’Or tonight, just as much as Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal, even though the player hadn’t win a single major trophy last season. The centrepiece of his candidacy is the World Cup. Mbappe finished as the tournament’s top scorer this summer with ten goals, ahead of Lionel Messi (8), Jude Bellingham (7) and Erling Haaland (7). That took his overall World Cup tally to 22, overtaking Messi’s 21 and making him the competition’s all-time leading scorer. Mbappe’s club numbers are just as eye-catching. He was the Champions League’s top scorer with 13 goals, ahead of Kane (8) and Haaland (7), and also finished as La Liga’s Pichichi with 25 goals, clear of Vedat Muriqi (23) and Yamal (16). The holes in his candidacy Mbappe dismantled the Barcelona defence last night. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Still, the numbers come with caveats. Seven of his 13 Champions League goals came against Kairat Almaty and Olympiacos, and while he scored in both games against Bayern Munich, Madrid still went out before the semi-finals. His league campaign also faded badly. After scoring in ten of the first 11 matchdays, Mbappe managed just seven goals in the second half of the season, and only two from matchday 23 onwards. Add the lack of silverware, and it is easy to see why there are those who see the likes of Kane and Yamal as deserved winners. But on individual merit alone, few can match what Mbappe achieved this past year.