What Mbappé had to say about Benzema and the Ballon d’Or

Kylian Mbappé is one of the candidates to win the Ballon d'Or. The Frenchman, world champion at Russia 2018, has announced his candidacy for the award that rewards the best player of the season. He is one of a list of 30 names from which the next winner will emerge and in which the absences of world-class players such as Neymar and Lionel Messi (current holder of the award) stand out.

The PSG striker revealed who are his top contenders to take the award, without being left behind. "My top 3? I would say Benzema, myself and Mané. Karim is 34 years old, he's just had the season of his life, he's won another Champions League in which he's been decisive. If he doesn't win it, I'll stop believing in the Ballon d'Or forever," he said.

More international soccer news:

Luis Campos' scolding to Neymar and Mbappé, he wants problems solved internally

Messi's first salary at Barcelona, and why his signing almost fell through

The striker also confessed his desire to win the award: "It's a big lie that the player is not interested in the Ballon d'Or. It's hypocritical to say that. We all think about it. We talk about the team, and the collective, because in a way it serves to camouflage our ambition, but it's honest to admit that we care. For the last two years I have been a more realistic candidate for the award. Before, I was satisfied with being in the top ten. Now, on the other hand, I am among the four or five most regulars”.

Mbappé spoke of Messi’s hegemony

On those who in his opinion should have won the award and did not, the Frenchman did not hesitate: "I would perhaps miss Xavi and Iniesta, although Messi won it and gave the feeling that the award belonged to the three of them, so inseparable with their successes at Barcelona".