Kylian Mbappé's Ballon d'Or Dilemma: Messi's Continued Dominance

Kylian Mbappé spent the summer roaring back into the Ballon d’Or conversation. Eight goals in North America, another deep run with France, the sense of a generational talent dragging his country towards yet another shot at the biggest prize of all.

Then Spain happened.

France’s exit in the semi-finals has left Mbappé staring at a familiar, frustrating reality: spectacular numbers, unforgettable moments, but no international trophy to show for it this year. At club level, the picture is no kinder. Real Madrid, for all the noise around their new ‘Galáctico’ era, have just completed a second straight season without a major honour in 2025-26. For a player chasing football’s most political individual prize, that matters.

The Ballon d’Or, in this era, is brutal. You don’t just need goals. You need the right medals.

Messi, again, at the centre of it all

While Mbappé’s campaign has stalled at the semi-final stage, Lionel Messi has marched on with a familiar, unnerving inevitability. At 39, in what should be the twilight of his career, he has once again taken Argentina by the scruff of the neck and led them to another World Cup final, matching Mbappé’s tally with eight goals of his own.

He is not just defending a world title won in Qatar in 2022; he is defending an entire legacy. A ninth Ballon d’Or is suddenly within reach if he can produce one more talismanic display against Spain.

Former France international Jérémie Aliadière can see which way the wind is blowing. Speaking to GOAL in association with Betinia NJ, he did not dress it up when asked whether Mbappé’s wait for a first Ballon d’Or is likely to continue.

“Yeah, I think so,” he said. In Aliadière’s view, Mbappé’s lack of silverware with Real Madrid this season is decisive. “I think if he's had a fantastic year in terms of winning something with Real Madrid, then he probably could still be in the running but without winning anything with Madrid…”

Aliadière made the key distinction: on a personal level, Mbappé has been devastating. “He had a great season, scored a ridiculous amount of goals and carried the team for most part of the season. So, individually, he's had a fantastic season but, unfortunately, without winning any trophies we know the rules to be a Ballon d'Or. You've got to win, Champions League or World Cup or Euros.”

The message is clear. In this race, numbers alone are not enough.

Kane, Messi and the weight of trophies

Aliadière also spared a thought for Harry Kane. The England captain, like Mbappé, produced the kind of individual campaign that usually forces voters to pay attention. Had England gone “all the way”, as Aliadière put it, Kane would have had a serious case.

They did not. Just like Mbappé, Kane is left with admiration, not hardware.

So the spotlight swings back to Argentina. “I think it’ll probably be one of Argentina,” Aliadière admitted. And then the line that cuts to the heart of the debate: “Messi, if he wins it again, I think everybody's just going to be mesmerised by the age and what he's produced at the World Cup and forget that he plays in MLS for Inter Miami.”

That last point is crucial. Messi is no longer operating in Europe’s elite club competitions, yet he continues to bend the global narrative around him.

MLS dominance, global impact

Messi’s 2025 campaign in North America has been anything but a farewell tour. With Inter Miami he has already collected MLS Cup and MVP honours, imposing his standard on a league still growing into its global role. The level may differ from La Liga or the Champions League, but the dominance is unmistakable.

Then he swaps pink for sky blue and white and the magic carries on. England learned that the hard way in Atlanta, where Argentina edged a dramatic semi-final, Messi again at the heart of it. At this stage, another Golden Ball at the World Cup and another Ballon d’Or cannot be dismissed as romantic fantasy. They are live possibilities.

Former MLS midfielder and World Cup winner Kleberson, speaking to GOAL earlier, captured the sense of awe that still surrounds Messi. Asked whether the Argentine can claim yet another Ballon d’Or and move four clear of Cristiano Ronaldo, his response was instinctive.

“Wow! That guy never stops!” he said. For Kleberson, Argentina’s chances at the World Cup remain higher than anyone else’s “just because Messi is still playing at a good level”.

Then came the comparison that underlines the gulf between two icons at this stage of their careers. “It’s different from Ronaldo. He is still playing at a level, but the players around Ronaldo, it’s not the same as Messi has with Argentina. It’s purity. What Portuguese players have and Argentine players have is completely different. That’s why Messi has a lot of chance.”

If Messi lifts another World Cup, Kleberson has no doubts about what follows. “If he goes and wins the World Cup, 100 per cent he’s going to be up to win the Ballon d’Or again. He’s brilliant. Even Brazilian players and fans look at him and want to see good players win the Ballon d’Or and the World Cup - players that are a joy to see play. Messi is one of those.”

Mbappé’s dilemma, Messi’s opportunity

Strip it all back and the equation is harshly simple. Mbappé has the numbers, the aura, the status as Real Madrid’s marquee superstar. What he does not have this year is the defining trophy that tilts the Ballon d’Or in his favour.

Messi, 39 and supposedly on borrowed time at the top, has both the story and the silverware within reach. Another World Cup. Another Golden Ball. Another Ballon d’Or. All from a base in MLS, a league many still treat as an epilogue rather than a stage.

If he finishes the job against Spain, the debate may not last long. The question then will not be whether Mbappé can catch Messi, but how anyone is supposed to chase down a legend who refuses to let the curtain fall.