Is the Ballon d'Or heading Mbappé's way this time? The French star spoke of dedicating it to Africa.

Discussions regarding the Ballon d'Or are currently at their peak. *France Football* has released the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 award, and voting is underway. The ceremony is scheduled for October 26 in London, with performances from the 2025–26 season and the 2026 World Cup being taken into account.

Kylian Mbappé is one of the stars in the conversation. After scoring 25 league goals and 15 Champions League goals for Real Madrid, he won the Golden Boot by scoring 10 goals for France at the World Cup. With a total of 22 World Cup goals, Mbappé has surpassed Lionel Messi.

Wants to dedicate the Ballon d'Or to Africa

Amidst the Ballon d'Or discussions, Mbappé has spoken anew about his African roots. His father, Wilfried, is from Cameroon, while his mother, Fayza Lamari, is of Algerian descent. Although born and raised in France, he has stated that African culture played a significant role in shaping his childhood and values.

In an interview with RFI, Mbappé said he has never lost touch with his roots and origins. He also expressed his desire to dedicate the award to the people of Africa should he win it.

Expressing gratitude to African football journalists, Mbappé added that the love and support he receives whenever he visits the continent are incredibly valuable to him.

Many other stars in the race

Joining Mbappé on this year's 30-man shortlist are other stars such as last year's winner Ousmane Dembélé, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, Lionel Messi, Rodri, Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and Erling Haaland.

The award is decided by one journalist from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings. The voting process takes into account the players' individual performances, team success, and sportsmanship. So, what lies ahead for Mbappé—and where his stellar World Cup performance and individual club statistics will take him—will be revealed at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London on October 26.