Mbappe still without a Ballon d’Or at 26: How many had Messi and Ronaldo won at his age?

After his impressive debut with just 16 years and 347 days, Kylian Mbappe was considered the heir to legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. At 26, this dynamic player has already cemented his status as a soccer star, boasting a FIFA World Cup title and multiple accolades. Despite a strong individual season with Real Madrid, he has not clinched the 2025 Ballon d’Or, fueling comparisons to the numerous awards amassed by Ronaldo and Messi.

Even though Cristiano Ronaldo ranks among soccer’s all-time greats, by age 26 he had only clinched one Ballon d’Or, which he won with Manchester United in 2008 at 23. Remarkably, he faced a five-year gap before securing four additional awards with Real Madrid, with his last triumph occurring in 2017 at the age of 32.

Unlike Cristiano or Mbappe, Lione