Rabat – French international Kylian Mbappé has reaffirmed his strong connection to his African roots, expressing hope of winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or and dedicating the prestigious individual award to the continent.
Speaking in an interview with Radio France Internationale (RFI), the Real Madrid forward discussed his family background, his relationship with Africa and the support he has received from African football fans throughout his career.
Mbappé, whose mother is of Algerian origin and whose father comes from Cameroon, explained that his African heritage remains an important part of his identity despite being born and raised in France.
“I have never lost touch with my roots and origins,” he said.
The 27-year-old explained that he grew up with African cultural influences and considers them an important part of the values instilled in him.
He also recalled a recent visit to Cameroon, where he received a warm welcome.
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“Every time I go to Africa, I am always warmly received. I feel the love of the people,” Mbappé said, describing the experience of receiving support from across the continent.
Mbappe hopes to dedicate Ballon d’Or to Africa
The French captain also addressed African supporters and voters ahead of the Ballon d’Or ceremony, thanking them for their continued backing.
“I want to thank them for their support throughout all these years,” he said.
Mbappé explained that the recognition he receives from African fans carries particular meaning because of his family background.
He expressed hope that his performances would allow him to secure the award and share the achievement with the continent.
“I hope I can win the Ballon d’Or and, in one way or another, dedicate it to them,” he said.
‘The Ballon d’Or is not an obsession’
During the same interview, Mbappé discussed his prospects of winning the award for the first time.
He insisted that the Ballon d’Or remains an important personal objective rather than an obsession, expressing confidence in his performances over the past season.
The forward argued that individual achievements should carry significant weight in determining the winner, pointing to his goalscoring record across major competitions.
Mbappé acknowledged that failing to win would be disappointing because of his competitive nature, but maintained that his performances have given him reason to believe this could be his year.
