Ex-Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale makes bold pick as he names 2025 Ballon d'Or winner
Gareth Bale has tipped Kylian Mbappe to put his nightmare start to life at Real Madrid behind him and win the Ballon d'Or next year. The French superstar joined Los Blancos in the summer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe, 25, was expected to thrive at the Santiago Bernabeu but has been out of sorts. He's managed nine goals and two assists in 18 games across competitions and was disappointing in a 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the Champions League.
The France captain was left out of Didier Deschamps' national team squad for UEFA Nations League action earlier this month. There have been suggestions Mbappe is dealing with a confidence issue.
Bale predicts Mbappe will redeem himself in the coming months and eventually win the first Ballon d'Or of his career. In an interview with TNT Sports, he backed the Frenchman to win the award, which he missed out on a podium finish this year.
Mbappe didn't attend the Ballon d'Or ceremony this year as Real Madrid boycotted the event. They were outraged that Vinicius Junior missed out on winning the award, with Manchester City's Rodri prevailing instead.
Vinicius, 24, has been impressive this season with 12 goals and eight assists in 18 games across competitions. The Real Madrid winger should be in the race for the award come next year.
"I just want to work hard for the team" - Bale once downplayed the Ballon d'Or's importance while at Real Madrid
Bale enjoyed a trophy-laden career at Real Madrid, where he shined alongside five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo and one-time winner Karim Benzema. The Welsh wizard, who retired in January 2023, posted 106 goals and 67 assists in 258 games.
The 35-year-old's highest finish in the Ballon d'Or race came in 2016 when he finished sixth. He wasn't too fussed about the award, though, emphasizing playing for the team rather than himself.
Bale said in 2016 (via Bleacher Report):
"Individual awards—I don't think about them at all. They’re nothing that I want to think about. It’s for other people to sort out themselves. For me, I just want to work hard for the team and try to win as many titles as I can."
Bale spent six years at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning 16 major trophies, including five Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles. He endured several problematic periods, such as injury issues in the Spanish capital, particularly in the latter stages of his spell at the club.