Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé has stated that he firmly believes he deserves to win the Ballon d’Or this year, despite not winning any trophies with either his club or France during the season.
In an interview with France Football magazine, he said that the award is an individual prize and that his performances make him the strongest candidate.
“I believe I can win it this year. It is one of my short-term goals. People say I haven’t won any trophies, but the Ballon d’Or is an individual award. I have never seen a winner receive 100 percent of the votes,” Mbappé said.
The French forward has scored 15 goals in the Champions League and 25 in La Liga, while at the World Cup he has reached 22 goals, becoming the competition’s all-time leading scorer, even though France were eliminated by Spain 2-0 in the semi-finals.
“For me, the idea of the Ballon d’Or comes from the era of Messi and Ronaldo. You don’t give it to an ordinary player, but to a player who does something different. I think I have done special things this year and I believe I can win it,” he added.
Asked whether he considers himself a worthy winner, Mbappé gave a firm answer.
“There was no player better than me. We are talking about achievements. To score so many goals in the biggest competitions, where the best footballers in the world play, and then at the World Cup, the biggest competition of all, becoming the all-time leading scorer, is something extraordinary,” he stated.
Mbappé stressed that the record is even more special because he surpassed Lionel Messi, whom many consider the greatest player in history alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
“It is fantastic. These are achievements that set you apart from others,” the French forward said.
In the interview, Mbappé also spoke about France’s new head coach, Zinedine Zidane, describing the French football legend as the figure who best embodies the national team.
“For the French people, he means a lot. He is a legend; he represents elegance and greatness. He has left an indelible mark on the history of French football,” Mbappé concluded.