As the Ballon d’Or award approaches, the debates have increased in intensity in recent weeks. Just yesterday, Kylian Mbappé affirmed loud and clear that he believed he deserved the most prestigious of individual distinctions: “When you play for Real Madrid, the best club in the world, you are inevitably associated with these awards. When people pass me in the street, they talk about it. This is a very rewarding distinction for any player. I made history this summer in the most prestigious competition. But there is still a long way to go. And everyone is free to think who is the best player in the world (…) It’s very personal. Everyone has their opinion. Some will say yes, others no. It’s a debate…and not everyone has to think like me. This year could be a good year for the Ballon d’Or, but it is awarded by journalists, and they will decide.»
An outing that raised eyebrows in France and Spain where the 2018 world champion was criticized for his overconfidence. If the Madrilenian would see himself crowned, he is far from being the only credible candidate in a particularly dense vintage. Many players can legitimately claim it, like Harry Kane, Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia, Lamine Yamal or even the outgoing winner Ousmane Dembélé. In such a tight year where every public speech risks being analyzed with a fine-tooth comb, the communication of stars is particularly scrutinized. This is precisely the case of that of the Parisian attacker, who spoke at the microphone of France Football this Tuesday morning.
Ousmane Dembélé: “The Ballon d’Or will remain in the hands of a PSG player“
True to his style, the reigning winner ignored all the hesitations surrounding the ballot. With Olympian calm, the French international swept away doubts and affirmed that a Paris Saint-Germain player would once again lift the ultimate prize: “I don’t think this trophy is undecided. I think it will stay in the hands of a Paris Saint-Germain player. My top 3? Everything mixed: “Kvara”, Harry Kane, who had a very, very good season, and I think Kylian Mbappé.» While respecting his teammate in the French team, Dembouz came to climate his friend’s desires by supporting the collective season achieved by his PSG.
A clear stance, but which above all highlights a communication that is the polar opposite of that of his former teammate. Where Mbappé assumes a devouring personal ambition, the former Barcelona player prefers to play the altruism card and highlight the strength of the Parisian collective when he is relaunched on its possibility of winning it a second time in a row: “Me ? Oh no, I never get into stuff like that. I never vote myself. If it’s me who speaks, I don’t vote for myself. Afterwards, there are still plenty of them. Michael Olise can be in there because he had an incredible season. He was the best player in the Bundesliga. Lamine Yamal too. Fabian Ruiz, Pacho… We forget that one, Pacho. I hope we won’t forget him this year, because he deserves to.» This is what is said.
