Ballon d'Or: "It's a goal for any player, for any competitor, but..." (Mbappé)

With the Ballon d'Or ceremony scheduled for October 26th approaching, Kylian Mbappé is no longer hiding his ambitions. The Real Madrid striker believes he has made a significant enough impression this season to be a contender for the prestigious individual trophy.

In an interview with RFI, the French national team captain emphasized his personal performances. With 7 goals in 7 La Liga matches this season, the Frenchman believes he has lived up to expectations.

"I had a good year. I had a great year on an individual level," explained Mbappé, who considers personal statistics a determining factor in the Ballon d'Or race.

The Madrid player also points out that he finished as top scorer in the major competitions he participated in. Performances which, according to him, naturally strengthen his candidacy.

"I know that this is the most important criterion for the Ballon d'Or. I have been the top scorer in all the major competitions and I think this can be a good year for me. I feel good about it," he said.

"It's not an obsession."

Although regularly mentioned as a contender for the trophy, Mbappé insists he is not obsessed with the award. For him, the Ballon d'Or is first and foremost a natural goal for a top-level player. "It's a goal for any player, for any competitor, but it's not an obsession," he stated.

The Frenchman nevertheless acknowledges that a potential defeat would be difficult for him to accept. His competitive spirit could take over if the trophy eluded him. "A competitor is always disappointed when he doesn't win. From that moment on, I think it's my competitive soul that will be affected," he confided.

The answer will be revealed at the ceremony on October 26, when the successor to the last winner, Ousmane Dembélé, will be officially designated.