Kylian Mbappe: ‘No-one had a better season than me’ in Ballon d’Or claim

Kylian Mbappe says he believes he deserves to win this year’s Ballon d’Or, arguing that no player produced a better season than him last year despite his lack of collective honours.

The Real Madrid forward told L’Equipe: “I have the feeling that I can win it this year. It is one of my goals, and there is not much time left.”

Mbappe said he saw no conflict between the Ballon d’Or being an individual award and the importance of team success in football.

“I have always believed that the Ballon d’Or should be awarded to a truly exceptional player,” he said. “Of course, there is a collective aspect because football is a team sport, but in the end it is an individual award.”

He added that his view of the prize had been shaped by the era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, two players he believes changed the sport.

“For years, I considered myself the best player in the world. I did not see any player better than me,” Mbappe said.

The France international said he accepted Messi and Ronaldo winning the award, but would not have traded places with any of the other recipients.

Mbappe also rejected criticism of his defensive contribution, arguing that scoring goals could not be treated as a problem for a team.

“That argument makes no sense,” he said. “If I do not score, they will ask: ‘Why?’ Football is about scoring goals and getting the better of your opponent.”

He acknowledged that he could contribute more defensively, while also believing he could create more opportunities in attack. Mbappe said he had a particular talent in that area and did not want to lose his place among the game’s elite players.

The forward also discussed his relationship with Real Madrid supporters and the criticism he has received from the stands.

“These things happen. Do you know how many players have been booed in Madrid? They are all still alive,” he said.

Mbappe added that he had come to understand that supporters show their disappointment when they are unhappy.

He praised his manager Jose Mourinho, describing him as “extremely intelligent” and saying: “He knows what he is doing and where he is going. It is important for players to have direction to follow. With him, we have everything we need to succeed.”

According to Mbappe, Mourinho’s instruction to him was straightforward: “Score goals.”

The Real Madrid striker also paid tribute to Messi and Ronaldo, saying both had “changed the rules of the game” and left an indelible mark on football history. He described himself as part of the generation that followed them and learned a great deal from their careers.

Mbappe named Lamine Yamal, Estevao, Arda Guler, Endrick, Warren Zaire-Emery and Desire Doue among the young players he admires, saying they all have the qualities required to build major careers.

Reflecting on his time with Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe said he could have moved to any European club but chose to remain in Paris because he was happy there. He also rejected any attempt to diminish the French club’s achievements after it won the Champions League twice since his departure.

Returning to his Ballon d’Or ambitions, Mbappe said: “No-one had a better season than me last year.”