Paris Saint-Germain wonderkid Kylian Mbappe has revealed who he believes to be his top three contenders for the 2018 Ballon d’Or.
After a successful World Cup in Russia this summer and a dogged footballing campaign across Europe, there are many players who may consider themselves in the running to win the highly sought-after award.
World Cup champion Mbappe has spoken to reporters, according to AS, about who he feels are the best contenders to win the overall prize.
The Frenchman confirmed that he believes former Real Madrid turned Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid and France centre-back Raphael Varane and Croatian World Cup finalist Luka Modric are his picks for the award.
He also added: “To fill it out, I would add myself.”
Modest it may not be, but there is no arguing with Mbappe’s contribution to football across the past 12 months.
After securing a move to French giants PSG last summer, scoring 21 goals in 44 games in all competitions for the side as they went on to win the treble in his first season.
Things only got better for Mbappe as he travelled to Russia with his France teammates in an effort to win their first World Cup trophy in 20 years.
Mbappe scored four goals in seven games as France went on to clinch the trophy, defeating Croatia 4-2 in the final held in Moscow, in which the 19-year-old scored.
Meanwhile,Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte has confessed he was envious watching France lift the World Cup trophy this summer.
Laporte, 24, has represented France at youth level, but is yet to receive his first cap for Les Bleus, which could ultimately see him switch allegiances to the Spanish national side.
The former Athletic Bilbao centre-back is of Basque origin and explored the possibility of representing Spain two years ago during his playing days in La Liga, though he would receive a call-up to the France squad shortly after and he further declared his intention to represent the nation.
However, Didier Deschamps has so far failed to hand the £57m defender a debut, and Laporte is now on the cusp of representing La Roja, though he admits it was still hard to watch France lift the World Cup without him.
Asked about his emotions towards Les Bleus’ triumph, he said (via the Telegraph): “It was jealousy to be honest.
“The decisions were made and you just have to accept them. That’s how it is in football.
“It didn’t come as a surprise to me that I wasn’t involved. I hadn’t been in the previous squad that had been named without me.
“But it was still a little disappointing for me not to be involved.” Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane formed an exceptional centre-back partnership in Russia, and will be particularly difficult to displace. Meanwhile Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos are both entering their twilight years and struggled for form in Russia.
New Spain boss Luis Enrique may therefore be looking to bring fresh impetus at the back, and Laporte ticks all the boxes of the ball-playing centre-back essential to La Roja’s system.
Under Pep Guardiola, Laporte could further develop into one of Europe’s most competent defenders, and perhaps his decision was influenced by the style of play both Spain and Manchester City encourage, as he talks up his short time at the Etihad.
“I had a really good six months here,” he added. “It’s been a great move – a perfect move for me.
“Pep is the best manager in the world, he’s always looking to help me get better and improve my game.
“He’s demanding yes but it’s not scary – his is a style of play that I really enjoy and I think I can improve and so can the team playing like this.
“I’m comfortable with what he asks me to do.”