Mbappé's Dream Dinner Guests: "Friend" Cristiano Ronaldo, Two Sports Legends, and a Music Star

In a clear campaign for the Ballon d'Or, Real Madrid and France forward Kylian Mbappé has been giving numerous interviews – one of which was with The Athletic. In this interview, besides reiterating his ambition to win the France Football award, now presented in partnership with UEFA, he was also challenged to reveal his dream dinner guest list.

His first choice was NBA legend Michael Jordan. “He’s an inspiration… I met him once and I’d like to see him more often to talk about his career,” Mbappé explained.

Next on the list was Cristiano Ronaldo. “He was my idol, now he’s my friend, and I love spending time with him… He gives me advice, supports me, and knows I’ll always support him,” the French forward stated.

To complete the table, Mbappé selected two renowned women. The first was Serena Williams, the tennis legend with 23 Grand Slam titles. “I want to be inspired by people, and she is an athlete I adore,” he explained. The final guest would be singer Rihanna. “Maybe Rihanna next. I really like Rihanna!” he added.

Unable to decide on a fifth guest, the 2018 World Cup winner ultimately invited the journalist himself. However, he made an important caveat about the organization of the fictional dinner: he wouldn't be responsible for the cooking. “I don’t cook,” he admitted. “If I did, everyone would run home. Maybe we can order something?”

Regarding the Ballon d'Or, Mbappé assured that the award isn't an obsession... though he believes he deserves it in 2026. “I’m not ashamed to say it,” he affirmed. “I’m not afraid to say what I think, even if sometimes people question it. Frankly, it’s not a shame. I never said: ‘I’m going to win.’ But I think I had a good season. Many people said so and associated me with the trophy. So, we’ll see.”