Thierry Henry has selected Kylian Mbappe as the player he would award the Ballon d’Or to, despite the main argument against the Real Madrid forward being his lack of team trophies during the past season.
The former Arsenal striker and club legend made his choice after Mbappe scored in Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Inter in the opening round of the league phase of the Champions League on Tuesday.
Mbappe’s goal helped Real Madrid secure the result against the Milan-based side and has placed renewed focus on the France international when discussions turn to the leading candidates for football’s most prestigious individual prize.
Henry’s preference is notable because Mbappe’s case has been questioned on the basis that he did not finish the previous campaign with major team silverware. The forward was also unable to lead France to success at international level, with Les Bleus reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup.
That lack of collective achievement is regarded as the principal weakness in Mbappe’s claim to the award. However, Henry has still identified him as his choice for the Ballon d’Or, putting the Real Madrid player ahead of other contenders in his assessment.
Mbappe’s contribution against Inter provided an immediate example of the attacking influence that continues to shape his reputation. His goal came in Real Madrid’s first match of the Champions League league phase, with the Spanish side eventually winning 2-1.
The result was the latest event to be considered alongside Mbappe’s performances when evaluating his candidacy. While the absence of a team trophy remains central to the debate, Henry’s selection indicates that the forward’s individual qualities remain sufficient, in the former Arsenal player’s view, to make him the leading choice.
France’s run to the World Cup semi-finals means Mbappe’s international campaign ended short of a title. The national team did not win the tournament, another factor cited against his Ballon d’Or claim.
Even so, Henry has publicly chosen Mbappe as the player to whom he would present the award. His decision comes after the forward made a decisive contribution in Real Madrid’s Champions League opener, scoring in the 2-1 win over Inter on Tuesday.
The Ballon d’Or discussion therefore remains centred on the balance between individual performances and team success. Mbappe’s supporters can point to his importance in Real Madrid’s victory, while the main criticism of his candidacy remains the absence of team honours during the previous season and France’s failure to go beyond the World Cup semi-finals.
For Henry, those reservations have not changed the outcome of his selection: Kylian Mbappe is the player he would give the Ballon d’Or to.