Mbappé flashes his World Cup awards as Ballon d'Or votes close

Kylian Mbappé is doubling down on his Ballon d'Or push. The Real Madrid forward posted a series of photos on Thursday showing the two individual trophies he collected at the last World Cup: the Golden Boot, awarded to the tournament's top scorer, and the Bronze Ball, which recognized him as the third-best player of the competition. The timing is no accident. Voting for the Ballon d'Or closed just three days earlier, and the winner will be announced on 26 October.

• Mbappé posted photos with his World Cup Golden Boot and Bronze Ball.
• Ballon d'Or voting closed three days ago, with the ceremony set for 26 October.
• The Frenchman is competing with Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembélé for the award.
• Mbappé is dealing with a hyperextension of the posterior capsule in his left knee.

The World Cup trophies Mbappé put back in the spotlight

The images shared by the French forward showcase two honors from the latest World Cup. The Golden Boot goes to the tournament's leading scorer, a distinction Mbappé locked up with decisive performances in the knockout rounds. The Bronze Ball placed him as the third standout player of the competition, behind only the top two names in the official ranking.

The post shows how Mbappé is using every available platform to keep his candidacy in the conversation. Last season he led his national team and, whenever injuries allowed, also stepped up for Real Madrid.

Who Mbappé is up against in the Ballon d'Or race

The Frenchman is widely seen as one of the leading contenders for the France Football prize. Alongside him are names like Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and the current holder, Ousmane Dembélé. With voting officially closed, any late public moves from candidates carry mostly symbolic weight and keep their names front and center for fans.

Mbappé has stepped up his presence in the media and on social platforms in recent weeks. His personal campaign has included direct messages about the award and gestures like Thursday's post, which reinforce his recent trophy cabinet before a global audience.

What Mbappé told France Football about the Ballon d'Or

It's a good year to win it.

That was the confident message from the forward in conversation with the magazine that runs the award. He also moved to end any talk of tension with Dembélé, his direct rival and France teammate. Mbappé said the two had already spoken and that there was no issue between them, describing their relationship as a friendship.

Courtois backs Mbappé's Ballon d'Or case

Inside the Real Madrid dressing room, Mbappé has found a high-profile supporter. Thibaut Courtois publicly called for his teammate to win the Ballon d'Or in a recent interview, a backing that strengthens the Frenchman's bid and reinforces the sense around the club that he is the favorite to succeed Dembélé on the winners' list.

The knee injury raising concerns at Real Madrid

It is not all positivity, though. Mbappé returned from the latest international break with discomfort, and Real Madrid's medical staff diagnosed a hyperextension of the posterior capsule in his left knee. The club is monitoring his progress and has not set a firm timeline for his return to action.

The issue arrives during a demanding stretch of the calendar and forces careful management of the forward's workload, as he aims to be fully fit for both his club commitments and the season's final push.

Frequently asked questions about Mbappé and the Ballon d'Or