PARIS — Kylian Mbappe believes his performances for Real Madrid and France make him worthy of winning the Ballon d’Or despite failing to claim silverware at club or international level this season.
The 27-year-old forward told France Football that winning the award remained one of his short-term goals and argued that the prize should recognise individual performances rather than simply team success.
“I believe I can win it this year. It’s one of my goals, and a short-term one at that,” Mbappe said.
Mbappe scored 15 goals in the Champions League and 25 in LaLiga before adding to his World Cup tally, which reached 22 to make him the tournament’s all-time leading scorer. France, however, were eliminated in the semi-finals by Spain in a 2-0 defeat.
“My idea of the Ballon d’Or comes from the Messi and Ronaldo era – you don’t give it to ordinary players, you give it to players who are different,” Mbappe said. “I think I did things that were different this year, so I believe I can win it.”
Mbappe also welcomed the appointment of Zinedine Zidane as France coach, succeeding Didier Deschamps.
The former France midfielder and 1998 World Cup winner is a national icon, Mbappe said, describing Zidane as a player who “transcended generations” and left an “indelible mark” on French football.
“For French people, he means a great deal – he’s a legend, he’s the nation’s ‘Zizou’, he represents elegance, greatness,” Mbappe said.
