Mbappe says no player is better than him as he backs Ballon d'Or bid

The 27-year-old made the case for himself in an interview with France Football, arguing that the award is an individual one and that his performances across the season should carry enough weight.

“I believe I can win this year,” Mbappe said. “It is one of my goals, a short-term goal.

“People say I haven't won anything, either with my club or national team, but this is an individual award. I have never seen anyone unanimously elected for the Ballon d'Or.”

Mbappe pointed out that no Ballon d'Or winner has ever received every vote.

“Has anyone ever won with 100 percent of the votes? That means there is always someone who believes the winner didn't deserve it.”

His numbers give him a strong argument. 

Mbappe scored 15 goals in the Champions League and 25 in LaLiga. He then took his World Cup total to 22 goals, becoming the competition's all-time leading scorer, even though France lost 2-0 to Spain in the last four.

For Mbappe, the Ballon d'Or should reward players who produce something out of the ordinary.

“My idea of the Ballon d'Or comes from the Messi and Ronaldo era. You don't give it to ordinary players. You give it to different players,” he said. “I think I did different things this year, so I believe I can win.”

When asked directly whether he felt he deserved the prize, Mbappe did not hesitate.

“There is no player better than me. We have talked about achievements. To score that many goals in the biggest competitions, where all the best players are, and of course at the World Cup, the biggest event of all, to become the all-time top scorer — during my holiday, that was all people spoke to me about.”

He added that the World Cup record carries a special meaning because it took him past Lionel Messi, a player many regard as the greatest in history alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.

“It is difficult to understand what the World Cup means,” Mbappe said. “It is the competition of the best players, the stars, the greatest players in football history. To tell yourself that, at 27, you are already the top scorer...

“And it is even more special because you broke Leo Messi's record. For many people, he is the greatest player in history with Cristiano. It is incredible. An achievement like that is different.”

Mbappe also praised Zinedine Zidane, who has replaced Didier Deschamps as France coach.

“For French people, he means so much. He is a legend, he is the nation's Zizou. He represents elegance and greatness,” Mbappe said. “He made history with the national team as a player and had some truly iconic moments.

“Maybe he is the player who best represents the spirit of the French team. He is one of those timeless players. He has left an indelible mark on the history of French football.”