What is Kylian Mbappé thinking about these days?

Kylian Mbappé has made another fast start to the season, with four goals in three matches and an early place at the top of the Pichichi conversation.

A familiar scoring burst

The Real Madrid forward has already rattled in a hat-trick against Real Sociedad and kept scoring in the opening weeks, including in the match against Málaga last night. He has won La Liga’s top-scorer award in each of the last two seasons and is now targeting a third straight crown.

Ballon d’Or remains the bigger goal

The article says Mbappé’s longer-term aim is the Ballon d’Or, a trophy he has yet to win despite producing huge numbers. Last season he scored 58 goals for Real Madrid and France, and at the 2026 World Cup he finished as top scorer with 10 goals, but France did not win the tournament.

Recent Ballon d’Or voting has tended to favour players with major team honours, especially the World Cup or the Champions League. That means Mbappé’s individual output gives him a case, but team success may still decide the race.

The piece argues that if he is to improve his chances next year, Mbappé needs Real Madrid to win the Champions League, keep scoring at the current rate and deliver in the biggest matches.