I Have Never Lost My Roots — Mbappe Vows To

France captain Kylian Mbappe has revealed that he hopes to dedicate the Ballon d'Or to Africa if he wins the prestigious award this year.

The Real Madrid forward made the statement in an exclusive interview with RFI ahead of the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony scheduled for October 26 in London.

Mbappe Speaks On His African Roots

Mbappe, who was born and raised in Bondy, France, has never hidden his African heritage. His father Wilfrid is originally from Cameroon, while his mother Fayza Lamari is of Algerian descent.

The 27-year-old said his upbringing was deeply influenced by African culture and that he has always felt loved whenever he visits the continent. He visited his father's village Djebale in Cameroon in 2023 and was recently spotted in Morocco watching AFCON 2025 matches.

“I have never lost the connection with my roots and my origins. I've always had an upbringing steeped in African culture, even though I was born and raised in France. Every time I go to Africa, I can feel the love from the people.”

The statement is part of a longer interview where Mbappe explained how his African values shaped who he is today.

Why He Wants To Dedicate Ballon d'Or To Africa

When asked about his message to African voters, Mbappe expressed gratitude for their years of support. African journalists account for about 20% of the Ballon d'Or voting panel, making them crucial in the race.

He said winning the trophy would be more than a personal achievement and he would love to share it with the continent that has always supported him.

“I want to thank them for the support they've given me over all these years. I hope to be able to leave with the Ballon d'Or and, in one way or another, dedicate it to them too.”

Ballon d'Or 2026 Race

Mbappe is having a sensational season with 42 goals in 44 matches across all competitions for Real Madrid and finished as the top scorer at the 2026 World Cup. He is currently competing with Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane and Ousmane Dembele for the 2026 Ballon d'Or.

M2NICE Editorial Note: Mbappe's comments have sparked mixed reactions online, with many African fans celebrating his acknowledgement while others view it as a strategy to win over African voters ahead of the October 26 ceremony in London. Regardless, it is the first time the French star has publicly promised to dedicate football's biggest individual prize to Africa.