Having missed out on the prestigious Ballon d’Or for the year 2023 by the barest of margins to Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe will look to get his hands on the award next year.
The France international who won the World Cup back in 2018 is considered to be one of the great successors of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in years to come. As Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo approach the end of their careers, a new generation of football stars is emerging to compete for the title of the world’s best player.
Such is his aura, that the former PSG player and once a Ballon d’Or winner back in 2005, Ronaldinho also believes that the Frenchman is his favorite to win the Ballon d’Or. However, the Brazilian wants Mbappe to win the golden ball by playing for PSG in the near future.
Ronaldinho on Mbappe: “He can win the Ballon d’Or with any team, but I would like him to do it with PSG”👌#PSG #Mbappe #Ronaldinho pic.twitter.com/Sn6u2TRUd2
— RatingBet (@rating_bet) December 4, 2023
During a recent confession to AFP, Ronaldinho stated his desire to see Mbappe win the Ballon d’Or. He said, “A great player like him can have the chance to win the Ballon d’Or for any team, but as I love PSG, I want him to do it with PSG.”
Mbappe played a crucial role in leading France to the brink of World Cup glory in 2022, scoring a hat-trick in a thrilling match. He is also PSG’s all-time leading goalscorer, having scored 230 goals for the Ligue 1 giants.
However, to win the personal accolade for the French side, Mbappe has to make sure he extends his stay for the Paris-based club. With only six months left in his contract, Mbappe has a couple of suitors coming for him next season in the form of Real Madrid and Liverpool.
Kylian Mbappe knew there were no chances of him winning the Ballon d’Or in 2023
Even after putting in a valiant effort during the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup against Argentina, where Kylian Mbappe scored a hattrick in a losing cause, France’s dreams of lifting two World Cups in a row were shattered in the penalty shoot-out. So was Mbappe’s to win the Ballon d’Or later next year.
Lionel Messi’s brilliance in the final to clinch the World Cup trophy had enough hints for Mbappe that he won’t be able to put his hands on the prestigious award.
Kylian Mbappé: “Lionel Messi had to win the Ballon d’Or, he won the World Cup, he’s one of the greatest in history, if not the greatest for me..” pic.twitter.com/AlXJ8JXm1y
— FOOTY QUOTES (@Footy_Quotesx) November 30, 2023
Mbappe didn’t even finish second, he lost the spot to Erling Haaland who was in form for the City. Haaland went on to win the treble for his club, thus finishing second followed by the Frenchman.
The PSG forward scored a total of 53 times last season for both his club and country. He also provided 12 assists having played 57 games in the season.