Cucurella Weighs In on Kane’s Ballon d’Or Win, Backs Mbappe for Future Success
Real Madrid bolstered their squad with notable signings this summer, including Marc Cucurella from Chelsea. The arrival of the Spanish international brought a World Cup winner into the ranks of Los Blancos, and after an adjustment period, Cucurella has begun to showcase his abilities in recent weeks.
In a recent interview with El Chiringuito TV, Cucurella discussed the ongoing conversations surrounding the 2026 Ballon d’Or, still stirred by Harry Kane’s recent victory. Kane, who narrowly surpassed Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe by just 28 points, has sparked varied opinions about the legitimacy of his award.
Cucurella, addressing the fairness of Kane’s triumph, acknowledged his remarkable performance last season. “Not unfair, because he reached numbers that he probably won’t reach again,” he said, as reported by Madrid Xtra. However, Cucurella expressed a preference for either Mbappe or Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal to have taken home the accolade. “For me, I’d have given it to Kylian Mbappe or Lamine because personally as a fan, I’d turn on the TV to watch them play,” he stated. While recognizing Kane’s deserving win, he admitted it came as a surprise.
In reflecting on Mbappe’s near miss, Cucurella highlighted the forward’s impressive season. The voting revealed that Kane secured 1,055 points while Mbappe received 1,027. The Frenchman enjoyed a standout season, delivering exceptional performances for both Real Madrid and the French national team during the World Cup.
Kane’s 73 goals for club and country last season, which contributed to Bayern Munich’s domestic treble, were difficult for voters to overlook. Yet, Cucurella believes that Mbappe, who shone in critical moments, deserved stronger recognition. “Had he added at least one piece of silverware to his cabinet, there is no doubt that the Frenchman would have walked away with the award,” he remarked.
As this season unfolds, Mbappe has consistently demonstrated his abilities, leaving fans and pundits eager to see if he can achieve the ultimate recognition next year.
