Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) striker Kylian Mbappe has vowed to end Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s era of dominance in the Ballon d’Or, as per the New York Times.
Mbappe said:
“I think I’m about to win it [the Ballon d’Or].”
He continued,
“I always say I dream about everything. I have no limits. So of course, like you say, it’s a new generation. And Ronaldo, Messi — you’re gonna stop. We have to find someone else, someone new.”
Messi and Ronaldo have been the most successful players in the history of the ‘France Football’ awards.
The Argentine has won the award seven times whilst the Portuguese has five to his name.
Messi has surprisingly been omitted from this year’s nominations for the first time since 2005. Meanwhile, Ronaldo has been nominated for the 18th time in a row.
However, with both players coming to the end of their storied careers, it is paving the way for new talents to stake their claim on dominating the Ballon d’Or awards.
Mbappe is evidently aiming to do so as the French forward has been in scintillating form for PSG over the past few seasons.
He managed a remarkable 39 goals and 26 assists in 46 appearances last season and has started this season in similar fashion.
The former AS Monaco forward has already bagged seven goal in his first appearances.
Mbappe has a long way to go in catching Messi and Ronaldo, though given the success the two have obtained during their careers.
Kylian Mbappe says seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi is the best player in the world despite idolizing Cristiano Ronaldo
The PSG forward has always seemed to suggest that he grew up idoliizing Cristiano Ronaldo.
His former teammate Jese Rodriguez has claimed in the past that the French striker wants to follow his idols footsteps one day and become a Real Madrid player.
Rodriguez told El Partidazo de COPE:
“He would love to go to Real Madrid. His idol has always been Cristiano [Ronaldo]. He loves Madrid and I am sure he will play there one day.”
However, Mbappe may have had a change of heart with Lionel Messi having joined him at PSG.
The Frenchman said last season following the Argentinian’s seventh award (via Mail):
“He’s the best player in the world. He won the Ballon d’Or a few days ago.”