Real Madrid News
Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin makes Ballon d’Or choice clear: ‘Mbappe is the best’
With about three weeks to go before the Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place, the excitement is palpable over who will secure the prestigious individual honour for 2026.
For the first time in years, the award is closely contested with no clear favourite, and Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe is in with a good shout.
Los Blancos reserve goalkeeper Andriy Lunin has thrown his support behind Kylian Mbappe in the Ballon d’Or debate.
Lunin backs Mbappe for Ballon d’Or
Speaking to El Chiringuito reporter Marcos Benito, Lunin was asked about his teammate in reference to the award.
“The Ballon d’Or is clear: Mbappe is the best,” Lunin said.
It is an emphatic endorsement from inside the Real Madrid dressing room at a time when the race for the award continues to generate plenty of discussion.
Lunin sees Mbappe’s level at closer quarters than most.
The pair work together at Valdebebas, and the goalkeeper clearly has no hesitation when judging the Frenchman’s place among the leading candidates.
Madrid players and even former icons have all thrown their weight behind the Frenchman publicly this summer.
Los Blancos are doing everything they can to promote Mbappe for the award ahead of other superstars.
Lunin relaxed about Mbappe recovery
The goalkeeper was also asked about Mbappe’s current injury situation, after the Frenchman injured his knee against Turkey.
“He is a professional, he has his recovery plan,” Lunin said.
Mbappe returned injured from international duty and was absent from Valdebebas for two consecutive days, creating questions over where and how his recovery was taking place.
Lunin’s comments offer an explanation from the squad: Mbappe has a specific recovery plan and is following it.
A real case for Mbappe
The Ballon d’Or is an award given to recognise individual performances, and Mbappe sat in a league of his own in this regard last season.
However, the only thing that could become an issue for him is that his individual contributions failed to result in a collective trophy for his team.
The voting for the Ballon d’Or is already over, and anything that happens between now and 26 October will not influence the result.
However, there is a case to be made that no other player in the world did more to deserve the award than Mbappe.
His phenomenal World Cup campaign should go a long way towards underlining that fact, and it remains to be seen who the award goes to in a few weeks’ time.
Real Madrid youngster Endrick continues to attract interest from several clubs ahead of another potential loan move in the upcoming January transfer window.
The latest side considering a move for the Brazilian forward is Aston Villa.
Indeed, according to reports relayed by Bernabeu Digital, the Premier League club are interested in signing the Real Madrid striker on loan in January.
No minutes for Endrick
Endrick has had very limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho this season. Across Real Madrid’s nine matches in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, the Brazilian has played just four minutes, coming on in the 86th minute against Elche.
Such limited playing time has left the young forward struggling to gain the minutes and experience needed to develop his talent at Real Madrid.
As such, another loan move, like last January when he left for Olympique Lyon, could offer him a chance to play more regularly and continue his progression.
Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, have now emerged as an interested party to acquire the Brazilian international’s services on loan for the second half of the season.
AC Milan also interested in Endrick
Howver, Aston Villa are not the only club monitoring Endrick’s situation. AC Milan have also renewed their interest in the Brazilian forward.
The Rossoneri already held an interest in the 20-year-old forward during the summer transfer window and are knocking on the doors once again now.
In fact, some reports in Italy even go on to suggest that the youngster is ready to pounce on the opportunity to sign for the Serie A giants.
For now, however, there have been no concrete developments or formal approaches from any interested club.
Real Madrid are understood to be open to allowing Endrick to leave on loan, but they are not considering a permanent sale as they still have a lot of faith in the promising attacker whom they signed from Palmeiras.
With Aston Villa and AC Milan both interested, the coming months could prove important in determining where the young Brazilian will continue his development.
