Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe believes he deserves to win the 2023 Ballon d’Or award.
The 24-year-old Frenchman was in top form during the 2022-23 season, scoring 29 goals in 34 appearances to finish as the Ligue 1 top scorer and player of the season. He scored a total of 41 goals in 43 games in all club competitions.
Mbappe also scored eight goals during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar to win the Golden Boot but France lost out to Lionel Messi’s Argentina 4-2 on penalties following an epic 3-3 draw after extra time.
Mbappe will be in the running with Messi who won his first-ever World Cup after multiple attempts and Manchester City hotshot Erling Haaland who won the treble with the Citizens and finished as the highest goalscorer in Europe with 52 goals in 53 appearances.
“The Ballon d’Or? It’s always difficult to talk about an individual trophy, because you have to put yourself forward,” Mbappe told TF1 when asked if can win the global award.
“It’s something that doesn’t necessarily go down well with the general public. Do I deserve the Ballon d’Or? With the new criteria, what counts? Catching the eye, scoring goals and making an impact?
“I think I fit those criteria. I’d say yes, but it’s the people who vote and I’m always optimistic.”
"Le Ballon d'Or ? C'est difficile de parler d'un trophée individuel, parce qu'il faut se mettre en avant, et ça ne passe pas toujours pour le grand public. Je pense que je corresponds aux critères : je dirais oui"
Mbappé mérite-t-il le Ballon d'Or ? Sa réponse, dans… pic.twitter.com/x500H94OuE
— TF1 (@TF1) June 19, 2023
Mbappe was in action for France on Monday, scoring his 38th goal for the country from the penalty spot as Les Bleus recorded a 1-0 win over Greece to remain in command of Group B in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
