Mbappé eyeing his first Ballon d’Or: 'It's a good year for this'

MADRID (AP) — Kylian Mbappé believes this could be the year he wins the Ballon d’Or for the first time.

He's optimistic after winning his second consecutive World Cup Golden Boot with 10 goals, the most in 56 years. He also overtook Lionel Messi for the most all-time World Cup goals with 22. There were also 42 goals in 44 matches for Real Madrid, although the club finished last season without a major trophy.

“There are many people who speak about me and the Ballon d’Or. Of course I’ve made history in the most important competition. Maybe it’s a good year for this, but people can vote according to what they think,” Mbappé said on Monday.

The award will be presented on Oct. 26 in London. The men’s Ballon d’Or last year was won by Ousmane Dembélé after Paris Saint-Germain won its first Champions League title.

“I think when you play for Real Madrid, the best club in the world, people automatically associate you with this award,” Mbappé added. “I always think I’m the best, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.”

Other strong candidates include Harry Kane — 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern Munich — and Lamine Yamal, who won the World Cup with Spain and La Liga with Barcelona.

“I don’t like making comparisons because I do a lot of things that others don’t," Mbappé said. "If we get into that it becomes an endless debate, you know?”

His best finish in the voting was third in 2023. He spoke ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League opener against Inter Milan in Madrid on Tuesday.

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Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, left, attempts a shot on goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

BALTIMORE (AP) — Plate umpire Chris Guccione left Monday's game between the Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Guardians after being hit on the mask by a foul tip in the top of the second inning.

Guccione, who was also the crew chief, was hit by Angel Martínez's foul ball. He stood near the plate while being checked on before eventually walking off the field to a round of applause from the crowd.

After a short delay, first base umpire James Jean took over behind the plate and the game continued with three umps. The Orioles beat the Guardians 6-4 to end their six-game skid.

Guccione joined the major league staff in 2009. He worked the World Series in 2016 and 2020.

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Home plate umpire Chris Guccione, right, leaves the game after being hit in the mask by a foul tip during the second inning of a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cleveland Guardians, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Home plate umpire Chris Guccione, second from left, talks with a trainer and other officials after being hit in the mask by a foul tip during the second inning of a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cleveland Guardians, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Home plate umpire Chris Guccione, second from left, talks with a trainer and other officials after being hit in the mask by a foul tip during the second inning of a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cleveland Guardians, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)