In an interview with France Football, Mbappé cited that the newly implemented criteria prioritizing a player’s performance give him an opportunity to win the honor.
The French forward believes that this criteria could give him an edge over his competitors, including Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi.
“The Ballon d’Or with the old rules, I would have said no to you,” Mbappé told the French media outlet (h/t Paris Fans). “But, with the news, it is the performance of the player that takes precedence
We ask you to select the most impressive player, who had the most impact, who was the most decisive, who burned the retina the most. I have two, three things in my luggage. We’ll see, but I think I’m still a candidate; that’s the truth.”
The Ballon d’Or, an annual award presented to the best-performing footballer in the world, has historically been dominated by Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, with the recent changes in the selection criteria, Mbappé sees an opportunity to break this duopoly and claim the coveted title for himself.
Mbappé’s confidence is fueled by his strong performances in the past season, during which he showcased his immense talent and played a vital role in helping France reach the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The 24-year-old scored a hat-trick but fell in penalty kicks.
As the award ceremony approaches, football enthusiasts eagerly await the outcome of this closely contested battle for the Ballon d’Or.
