Kylian Mbappe has expressed strong confidence in his ability to win the Ballon d’Or this year, asserting that his individual performances warrant recognition as the world’s best player despite a trophy-less season for both Real Madrid and the French national team.
In a recent interview with France Football, the 27-year-old forward addressed criticisms regarding his lack of silverware. “I believe I can win it this year. It’s one of my goals, and a short-term one at that,” Mbappe stated. “People say I didn’t win a trophy, but it’s an individual award. I’ve never seen a Ballon d’Or winner elected unanimously.”
Mbappe highlighted statistical achievements to bolster his case, noting that he has never witnessed a winner receive 100% of the vote, implying that dissenting opinions are inherent to the process. He scored 15 goals in the Champions League and 25 in La Liga before leading France to the World Cup semifinals, where they fell 2-0 to Spain.
His World Cup campaign concluded with a historic milestone: Mbappe became the tournament’s all-time leading scorer, reaching 22 goals. The forward emphasized the significance of surpassing the records of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. “It’s even more special because you take the record from Leo Messi, who for many people is the greatest player in history alongside Cristiano,” he said. “That kind of achievement is different.”
When asked if he viewed himself as the deserving winner, Mbappe remained unequivocal. “There was no player better than me,” he declared, adding that scoring prolifically against top-tier opposition in the world’s most prestigious competitions demonstrated a level of excellence he found distinct from ordinary players.
The striker also praised France’s new head coach, Zinedine Zidane, who replaced Didier Deschamps. Mbappe described Zidane as a national legend who embodies elegance and greatness, noting that the 1998 World Cup winner left an indelible mark on French football history and transcends generations.
The voting system is flawed anyway. No unanimous winner ever? Sounds like an excuse for losing the final to Spain.
Wow, he’s confident! Reminds me of some classic pre-season interviews that ended poorly. Let’s see if he backs it up.
15 Champions League goals are impressive, but I’m curious how the voters will weigh team success versus pure stats.
Scoring past Messi’s record is huge, but the Ballon d’Or has always favored winners. History might not align with his claim.
Is individual brilliance really enough when your team finishes silverware-less? Seems like a risky bet this year.