RFI has published its full interview with Kylian Mbappé, in which he once again addressed the topics of the World Cup and the Ballon d'Or.
Q: Is the Ballon d'Or an obsession for you?
Mbappé: No. I believe the Ballon d'Or is an objective for any player, for any competitor. But it cannot be described as an obsession.
Q: You are in contention for this year's Ballon d'Or. Do you think this is your year, and why?
Mbappé: On an individual level, I had a tremendous year. I know that is the most important criterion for the Ballon d'Or—I finished as the top goalscorer across all the biggest competitions (the World Cup, the Champions League, and La Liga). I believe this could be a very good year for me, and I feel great about it.
Q: People are saying that the competition this year is unprecedentedly fierce.
Mbappé: Yes, that is what everyone is saying. I don't know the entire history of the Ballon d'Or, but people say this year has been extraordinarily competitive. It's fascinating—whether as a contender or a spectator, it is thrilling, and it provides great entertainment for the fans as well.
Q: If this year doesn't turn out to be yours, will you feel disappointed? This is already your ninth time being nominated for the Ballon d'Or.
Mbappé: Of course. For any competitor, there is always disappointment when you don't win. But after that, my competitive drive will be reignited all over again. For now, though, all we can do is await the final outcome.
Q: We often hear you make public statements—such as claiming that nobody was better than you last season—which caused a stir among certain people in France?
Mbappé: Yes. In France, there are plenty of things that can shock people, and I don't see any issue with that. I have never expected everyone to agree with me because that is simply impossible. However, I am not willing to pretend to be someone else either. I just try to be myself—carrying my virtues and flaws, my successes and failures—and keep moving forward.
Q: Returning to the Ballon d'Or topic, quite some time has passed since the Qatar World Cup. Have you fully processed that experience? It was perfect for you individually, but perhaps somewhat disappointing on a collective level?
Mbappé: I wouldn't call it disappointing. Whenever you don't win, there are always regrets. But I believe we showcased a very positive image of France; we were an exciting, entertaining side to watch. I think the French people had a wonderful time watching us play, and fans worldwide thoroughly enjoyed our matches. In the end, only one team can lift the trophy. We gave everything we had, but came up short. We will dust ourselves off and try again.
On an individual level, I scored 10 goals at the World Cup. At the time, you don't necessarily realize the magnitude of those things—you know how it is when you are in the thick of a tournament, focused entirely on the next match and the next goal. It was only when the tournament ended and I went on holiday, with everyone talking to me about it and about becoming the all-time top goalscorer in World Cup history, that I truly realized what a monumental event the World Cup is. It is the greatest sporting event in the world, and it leaves an indelible mark on people's hearts. That is also a pivotal component in the race for the Ballon d'Or.
Q: In your view, is the Ballon d'Or strictly an individual honor?
Mbappé: Yes. Inside that envelope in October, there is only one name, not an entire team. Naturally, you cannot erase the contributions of the collective, but what people ultimately remember are a player's dazzling individual performances on the pitch.
