According to journalist Daniel Riolo, Kylian Mbappé came very close to winning the supreme distinction.
Kylian Mbappé celebrated his 25th birthday this Wednesday, December 20. Last year on this date, the Paris Saint-Germain striker had just had a sensational 2022 World Cup campaign with the France team, unfortunately punctuated by a defeat in the final against Argentina.
“It’s probably him who would have been the Ballon d’Or”
The 2018 world champion shone during the last match against the Albiceleste, scoring a hat-trick. But Didier Deschamps’ men finally lost on penalties (3-3, tab 4-2). For Daniel Riolo, RMC columnist, the Bondynois could have won the 2023 Ballon d’Or ahead of Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland, if the balance had tipped his side in the final.
“Almost a year ago to the day, he played in the World Cup final and he is extraordinary,” Riolo judged in After Foot. Of course there is this little circus on the lawn with the President but at that moment, he is probably the French people’s favorite sportsman. The whole world saw that it was a penalty, otherwise he would probably have won the Ballon d’Or. He was on top of the world next to Messi that evening. »
