The Ballon d’Or Race and Individual Ambition
With the Ballon d’Or ceremony scheduled for October 16, Kylian Mbappé has openly discussed his position in the race for football’s most prestigious individual honor. In an exclusive interview with RFI, the French national team captain addressed whether claiming the trophy has become an obsession.
« Non, non, non. Je pense que c’est un objectif pour n’importe quel joueur, pour n’importe quel compétiteur. Mais une obsession, non, je ne pense pas, » Mbappé stated when asked about the accolade.
According to RFI, the French international feels confident about his chances this year due to his prolific output across major competitions. « J’ai fait une bonne année. « J’ai réalisé une saison formidable sur un plan personnel, conscient que c’est le facteur primordial pour remporter le Ballon d’or, » he explained. Acknowledging that the competition is widely viewed as open this season, Mbappé noted that a competitive field serves as entertaining spectacle for supporters worldwide.
Embracing Controversy and Rejecting Consensus
Mbappé’s outspoken public persona has frequently drawn polarized reactions, particularly in France following remarks where he proclaimed himself « l’élu » or asserted that no one was better than him last season. Confronted with these polarizing statements, the forward defended his authenticity.
« Oui, bien sûr. Par la suite, sur le sol français, de nombreux éléments ont de quoi surprendre, ce qui ne me pose aucun problème. Je n’ai jamais voulu faire l’unanimité, car ce n’est pas possible, » Mbappé told RFI. « Mais j’arrive pas à être quelqu’un d’autre. Je ne vais pas essayer d’apprendre à l’être. J’essaie d’être moi, avec mes qualités et mes défauts, avec mes conquêtes et mes échecs. »
Reflecting on World Cup Success and African Roots
The conversation also touched upon France’s recent World Cup campaigns and Mbappé’s historic scoring records. Reflecting on individual milestones, including surpassing previous scoring benchmarks on the international stage, the forward emphasized the singular nature of the tournament. While the collective outcome left room for disappointment, he maintained that the squad delivered an engaging spectacle for global audiences.
Furthermore, RFI reported that the forward highlighted the strength of his Algerian and Cameroonian heritage during the interview, expressing a desire for backing from the African continent as the voting window for the Ballon d’Or reaches its conclusion.
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