“No player was better than me last season”

Kylian Mbappé , one of the favorites for the Ballon d'O r this season, which will be awarded next month, speaks at length in an interview with France Football magazine, which organizes the event, in which he states that “no player was better than me last season , I have arguments to win it, such as being the top scorer in World Cup history”.

'“I have the idea that I can win it this year. They say I haven’t won any team titles, but it’s an individual trophy. I have never seen a Ballon d’Or chosen unanimously , but I have my arguments: being the top scorer in World Cup history, thinking that, at 27 years old, I am already the player who has scored the most goals, even surpassing a legend like Messi, in the most important tournament in the sport,” he says.'

They never give it to ordinary players, but to different players like Messi or Cristiano. And I think this year I’ve done different things

"I can understand those who think differently. There is no dictatorship of thought. But when you analyze the competition, no one had a better last season than I did, and sometimes the votes went to the best player on the best team, and not necessarily to the best player in the world ,” says the French international. "I would vote for myself," he adds with a laugh during the 53-minute interview.

I've always thought that the Ballon d'Or should reward a different kind of player, like in the era of Messi and Ronaldo. They never give it to ordinary players, but to different players. And I think this year I've done different things, so I think I can win it," he says, not seeing himself as far along in his career as Messi at 39. "I would play until I was 100, but you have to be smart and know when you just can't go on anymore. He hasn't had to ask himself that because he still can. Besides, Messi is Messi. I consider myself a different player. But he is a different player among different players .

'"Both he and Cristiano, in their category there are only the two of them. There is a before and an after. There is no problem in thinking that you are not as good as Messi or Ronaldo,” he emphasizes,'

'About last season, the boos and Mourinho's arrival at Madrid, Mbappé says that "each season teaches you lessons, especially when you don't win. Being at Real Madrid is a privilege and a lesson about what we have to improve to do better this season.”'

“All locker rooms have egos, even those without stars. People always associate ego with stars. And yet, I’ve seen players who didn’t ask for a single photo or autograph and who had enormous egos. A lot of people have ego, and not just the players. The boos? These are things that happen. Many have been booed there; when you sign, you know what you’re getting into. I understand them”.

“Boos? These things happen. Many have been booed there; when you sign, you know what you’re getting into. I understand them”

' And Mourinho?: “He is very intelligent. He impressed me; it is clear that he knows what he is doing and where he is going. For the players, it is important to have a direction to follow. He told me “score goals” ... PSG have won two European Cups since he left and Kylian sees it as "I reached the semifinals with Luis Enrique, they have built their victories, stringing together a second one is extraordinary. They are the team to beat for us and everyone else".'

FRANCE AND THE NEW MBAPPÉ

“I am still a different player. But before I was within a certain mold and now I have many more tools, I can improve throughout my entire career because football changes, you have to adapt, it waits for no one.”

Mbappé believes that “ I inspire many players. And many have inspired me, including some whom I consider less strong than me. Who do I like now? Among the young players , Lamine Yamal. He has everything. I like Estevão , he has special creativity. Guler can go very far. Endrick has potential, he is a goalscorer. Zaïre-Emery and Doué are going to have a great career...”

“People criticize me a lot, but that's the life of someone who is in the elite. The center forward is always watched. Everyone has known for years what I can do. So now it's no longer about what I do, but what I don't do. Football is about scoring goals and getting one more than the opponent, scoring is the hardest and the most valuable thing. A player who scores will never be a problem within a team".

What to improve, he is clear about it: “ Defensively, I can do more to help my teams . Offensively, I can be even more effective, because I find it easy to create chances for myself. In Europe there are no players who can create as many chances for themselves as I can ”

Both Messi and Cristiano, in their category, are the only two. There is a before and an after. There is no problem in thinking that you are not as good as Messi or Ronaldo.

Lastly, he talks about the two consecutive eliminations, in the European Championship and the World Cup, with Spain. "It is not a failure. It is a pity. Spain managed the match better, there are no complexes, we made a mistake in the way we approached the start of the match. We did not know how to readjust against a team that likes the ball."