Ninety goals in 107 matches, yet not a single team trophy in two years — such is the paradoxical reality of Kylian Mbappé at Real Madrid. The absence of silverware at club level has done nothing to dent his conviction: the 27-year-old France forward believes this season offers his best chance of winning the Ballon d'Or, football's individual crown. Since he left, Paris Saint-Germain have lifted the Champions League twice in succession — the one trophy Mbappé has never won in his career.
On events at his former club, the striker is unequivocal. "The truth is that I really don't care," he said. Yet France's fourth-place finish at the World Cup and the bookmakers' odds both point away from him. Harry Kane is rated the favourite for the prestigious award after a record 61-goal haul at Bayern Munich, with Barcelona's Lamine Yamal placed second. Even so, the Frenchman maintains that he is the best player in the world. His highest finish in the voting to date is third. The identity of the new Ballon d'Or winner will be revealed on 26 October.
