Kylian Mbappe believes he is favourite candidate to win this year's Ballon d'Or

Kylian Mbappé (Source: Twitter)

Kylian Mbappe believes he is a credible candidate for the Ballon d'Or. The Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and France striker is unlikely to contend for the most coveted individual honours, with Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland leading the race after winning the World Cup with Argentina and the Premier League with Manchester City this season, respectively.

The Ballon d'Or regulations were altered in 2022, and the award now prioritizes individual performance above group achievements. Mbappé stated in an interview with France Football that the newly introduced criteria that prioritise a player's performance offer him a chance to win the award.

I think I’m still a candidate: Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe remembered his previous campaign, voiced his feelings, and demonstrated his unwavering commitment to victory. Mbappe's future is uncertain because his deal with Paris Saint-Germain expires at the end of the current campaign, despite Real Madrid's interest in him.

Mbappé told the French media outlet (h/t Paris Fans), "The Ballon d’Or with the old rules, I would have said no to you." "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."

Mbappe led PSG to the Ligue 1 victory with 41 goals and 10 assists in 40 outings. He also guided his country to a second World Cup final in a row. Despite scoring a hat-trick in the final, Mbappe was defeated by Argentina, captained by Lionel Messi. Mbappe still won the Golden Boot for most World Cup goals (8 goals).

Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have always dominated the Ballon d'Or, an annual honour given to the best-performing player in the world. Mbappé, on the other hand, sees the latest modifications in the selection criteria as an opportunity to break the duopoly and grab the coveted title for himself. It will be interesting to see who wins the Ballon d'Or 2023.