Paris Saint-Germain and France forward, Kylian Mbappe, believes that he can beat other competitors to the 2023 Ballon d’Or award.
The current favourites for the award are Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Norwegian striker Erling Haaland.
Messi won the 2022 FIFA World Cup and was adjudged the best player of the tournament along with the French League title.
Erling Haaland won the treble with Manchester City and was the top scorer across all club competitions last season with a whopping 52 goals in 53 matches.
Mbappe was runners-up at the Qatar 2022 World Cup with France and he was the golden boot winner of the showpiece, he also won the French League title with PSG and the French League golden boot.
Speaking to TF1, Mbappe said he meets the criteria for the Ballon d’Or award this year.
“The Ballon d’Or. It’s difficult to talk about an individual trophy because you have put yourself forward and that isn’t well perceived by the general public,” Mbappe said.
“What are the new criteria? Is it catching the eye or being impactful? I think I meet the criteria. We’ll see. It’s the people who vote, but I’m always optimistic.”
Mbappe tallied up 29 goals and five assists in 34 League games for Paris Saint-Germain last season. He netted eight goals in seven games at Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Paris Saint-Germain won the French League title with a total of 85 points after 38 matches.
The 2023 Ballon d’Or award ceremony will take place on October 16 at the Theatre du Chatelet in France.
