Mbappe makes "optimistic" Ballon d'Or claim in message to Messi and Haaland
Kylian Mbappe claimed he is "optimistic" he will beat Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland to win the Ballon d'Or after setting a French record of 54 goals in a season.
The Paris Saint-Germain star netted a penalty against Greece to overtake the mark he had shared with legend Just Fontaine in his final game of a long season. Messi is the hot favourite to win his eighth Ballon d'Or after leading Argentina to a World Cup win.
Haaland has also scored 56 goals in leading Manchester City to the treble. But Mbappe, 24, has netted 13 goals for France this season - including a hat-trick in the World Cup final - and 41 times for his club while winning Ligue 1.
The rules of the award have changed to judge performances over a season and not a calendar year - and with more emphasis on individual displays rather than on trophies won by a player's team. And Mbappe said: "It's difficult to talk about an individual trophy because you have to put yourself forward and it's not well seen by the general public.
"What are the new criteria? Is it to shine and make an impact? I think I fit the criteria. We'll see. It's the people who vote but I'm still optimistic."
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The nominees will be announced on September 6 with the successor to Karim Benzema revealed on October 30. It is not clear where Mbappe will be playing then after he revealed he will not sign a contract extension in the French capital before his current deal expires next year. PSG reacted by saying they would then seek to sell him this summer.
But the Paris-born striker looks certain to play at Euro 2024 next summer after winning his first four matches as captain since taking over from Hugo Lloris in March. "I learn every day," said Mbappe. "It's something that enriches my experience and my career. Having this responsibility, it allows me to open up a little more every day.
Kylian Mbappe scored 54 goals for club and country last season (Christian Liewig - Corbis/Getty Images)Have your say! Who deserves to win the Ballon d'Or? Give us your pick in the comments section.
"I try to do my best to make people proud of me. It's natural because we have an exceptional group, they put me in the right mood so that I'm the least bad as possible. We have a group that is hungry to win."
The 24-year-old has also recently commented on speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid following his decision to make PSG wait on his future. "I didn't ask either to be sold or to go to Real Madrid," Mbappe told Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I just confirmed that I don't want to activate the extra year foreseen in the contract. We have never talked about a renewal with PSG, but I'm happy to stay here next season."
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