Kylian Mbappe eyes first Ballon d'Or win

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe says this could be a good year for him to win the Ballon d'Or for the first time.

The 27-year-old scored 42 goals in 44 games for his club last season but they did not win any trophies.

He won the World Cup Golden Boot with 10 goals, taking his career tally at World Cups to a record 22 - although France finished fourth.

"I think when you play for Real Madrid, the best club in the world, people associate you with this award," he said.

"There are many people that speak about me and the Ballon d'Or. Of course I've made history in the most important competition. Maybe it's a good year for this but people can vote according to what they think."

He added: "I always think I'm the best [player in the world] but everyone has their own opinion.

"Maybe people think different ways. I don't think it's a discussion we need to have.

"Of course this year could be good for me to win the Ballon d'Or. But journalists vote."

The highest Mbappe has finished in the Ballon d'Or rankings is third in 2023, when he was a Paris St-Germain player.

Three players are given shorter odds with the bookmakers to win the Ballon d'Or, which will be awarded on 26 October.

England captain Harry Kane is odds-on to win, after a club-record 61 goals in 51 games for German double winners Bayern Munich last season. He also scored six times at the World Cup.

Lamine Yamal, who won La Liga with Barcelona and the World Cup with Spain, is second favourite - followed by his club and international team-mate Rodri, formerly of Manchester City.