I deserve the Golden Ball. I meet all the criteria, says Kylian Mbappé, who broke the French record for most goals

Kylian Mbappé has had an interesting season. His numbers are great, but there are two other names in particular that are being mentioned in connection with the Ballon d’Or – Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland. But the French cannonballer believes he deserves the award too.

France confirmed their good form on Monday night, with Kylian Mbappé scoring a penalty to secure a 1-0 win over Greece. They are 100 percent in qualifying for the European Championship, which Germany will host next year.

Moreover, it was the 54th goal for the PSG star this season for club and national team and it means he has broken the French record. Until now, the most goals scored by a Frenchman in a single season was scored by Just Fontaine in the 1957/58 season.

Mbappé helped lead his club to the league title, and his goals led the French national team to the World Cup final, where France fell short to Argentina, who were drawn by his former teammate Lionel Messi.

Messi is one of the two biggest favourites to win the Ballon d’Or. The new Inter Miami signing has been phenomenal at 35. The Argentine has been scoring goals, collecting assists, creating chances. At PSG, Mbappé’s performances even slightly overshadowed him.

The other big favourite is Erling Haaland, Mbappé’s main rival for the Ballon d’Or in the future. The Norwegian goalscorer had a fabulous season at Manchester City, breaking the Premier League goalscoring record, winning the treble.

It is therefore expected that one of the Messi, Haaland duo will become the best player on the planet. But Mbappé believes he would also deserve that individual trophy.

“It is difficult to talk about winning an individual trophy. You have to earn it. Plus, it’s something that may not appeal to the general public. Do I deserve the Ballon d’Or? What are the new criteria for judging? Attention-getting, scoring goals, impact in games? I think I meet all of these,” he told TF1.

“I think I deserve the Ballon d’Or, but it’s the people who decide. I am always optimistic,” Mbappé added.

He also gave a brief assessment of the past season. He admitted that he would have gladly traded the three goals in the final for an own goal and a win. He said it was a moment that affected probably everyone involved.

Source: TF1, Transfermarkt