José Mourinho has said Kylian Mbappé deserves to win this year’s Ballon d’Or, arguing the award should go to the best player in the world rather than be decided by World Cup or Champions League success.

“The best players in the world, there are two, three or four of them, and we know who they are: they’re here,” the Real Madrid coach said on Saturday before their game against Málaga in La Liga.

“For me, there is one who, individually, made history this summer,” Mourinho said, in reference to Mbappé, who became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.

‘You cannot give the Ballon d’Or to a player simply because he won the Champions League or the World Cup,’ says José Mourinho. Photograph: Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

The France captain is among the contenders for the Ballon d’Or after finishing last season as the top scorer in La Liga, the Champions League and the 2026 World Cup, despite failing to win a major trophy. His rivals include the England striker Harry Kane, the Spain midfielder and World Cup winner Rodri and Paris Saint-Germain’s European champions Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Mbappé, who scored a hat-trick in Wednesday’s 4-1 win over Real Sociedad, featured on the front page of Madrid-based sports daily AS on Saturday under the headline: “Mbappé targets the Ballon d’Or”.

“You cannot give the Ballon d’Or to a player simply because he won the Champions League or the World Cup,” said Mourinho. “The Ballon d’Or should go to one of those players who, when they retire, will be missed for ever. Maradona, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo Nazario, Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Zidane …” he said.

“If we want to reward the Champions League, then give it to Luis Enrique. For the Spanish national team, give it to [Luis] De la Fuente. The best player in the world is something else and he is neither at PSG nor in the Spain team.”

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Mourinho’s side host promoted Málaga on Sunday as they seek a third straight victory to start their La Liga season.