TONI KROOS NAMES KVARATSKHELIA AS BALLON D'OR CHOICE OVER MBAPPE AND MESSI

Toni Kroos has stated that Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi should not win the Ballon d'Or this year, citing their "average" seasons at club level. Kroos instead named Khicha Kvaratskhelia as his choice for the award, describing him as "the number one without hesitation". The Real Madrid forward also ruled out England's Jude Bellingham and Barcelona's Rodri from consideration for the honour.

Mbappe and Messi performed prominently at this summer's World Cup, competing for the Golden Boot award. Mbappe finished as the tournament's leading goalscorer with 10 goals, whilst Messi recorded eight. At club level, however, Mbappe's Real Madrid finished their season without a trophy, marking just the sixth trophyless campaign for the club in the 21st century. Messi, whose Argentina lost the World Cup final, won the MLS Cup with Inter Miami as captain, though he remains 39 years old.

Kroos stated that the Ballon d'Or should be awarded to a Champions League winner, though he acknowledged that Kvaratskhelia "probably won't win" the award. The 25-year-old has not been widely reported as among the leading contenders for the 2026 Ballon d'Or at this stage.