Vincent Duluc Fires Warning Shot at Kylian Mbappé: “Messi Had 4 Ballon d’Ors by 26 — Will He Ever Win One?”

French football journalist Vincent Duluc has sparked a heated debate in the football world with his blunt assessment of Kylian Mbappé’s career trajectory. Speaking in a recent interview, Duluc pointed out that the French superstar will turn 26 this December, a milestone that inevitably invites comparison with other greats of the game — particularly Lionel Messi.

“At that age,” Duluc remarked, “Messi had already won four Ballon d’Ors. Mbappé will soon have to ask himself whether he will ever win one. Nobody imagined his career unfolding like this: he should have already collected a few Ballon d’Ors along the way, like a storm.”

The comment lands like a thunderclap in France, where Mbappé has long been seen as the nation’s footballing heir to legends such as Zidane and Henry. Since bursting onto the scene at Monaco and then dazzling at the 2018 World Cup, expectations for Mbappé have been sky-high. Yet, despite his blistering pace, elite finishing, and undeniable star power, the Ballon d’Or has remained out of reach.

The French forward has finished in the top ranks for the award several times, but has consistently been overshadowed by the dominance of Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and more recently, younger rivals like Erling Haaland and Vinícius Jr. Some argue that staying in Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain for so long may have limited his exposure to the kind of weekly, high-intensity competition seen in the Premier League or La Liga — leagues that often influence Ballon d’Or voters.

Duluc’s remarks also hint at the growing pressure on Mbappé as he approaches what many consider the peak years of a footballer’s career. At 26, Messi had already secured Champions League titles, domestic trophies, and a string of personal accolades that cemented his place as an all-time great. Mbappé, by contrast, boasts impressive domestic success in France and a World Cup winner’s medal, but lacks the consistent European dominance that often defines a Ballon d’Or winner.

Fans are now speculating whether his rumored move to Real Madrid — long seen as his “destiny” — could be the spark that changes everything. The Spanish giants would offer him the platform to compete week in and week out against Europe’s elite, and perhaps finally deliver the Champions League glory that could sway Ballon d’Or voters in his favor.

Still, Duluc’s criticism underscores a sobering truth: football careers move fast, and opportunities at the very top can slip away in the blink of an eye. Mbappé may be one of the most gifted players of his generation, but as Duluc suggests, gift alone is never enough. The clock is ticking — and the question is no longer whether Mbappé can win the Ballon d’Or, but whether he will do it before his prime years start to fade.

Because as history shows, talent is the spark — but legacy is built on timing, trophies, and the moments that define greatness. And right now, Mbappé’s “storm” has yet to strike where it matters most.