New year but the same old Kylian Mbappe. Following a 10-day break, the Frenchman continued from where he left off with a fine strike against Toulouse. This takes his season’s tally to 22 goals in 23 games. Impressive numbers, among the best in Europe. However, it doesn’t seem to be enough to secure his first Ballon d’Or. As per a pundit, his shot depends on having a clinical Euro 2024 campaign, just like two of his key rivals.

The French captain will be aware that his side is one of the favorites for the tournament. With Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo out of Europe and Luis Enrique making great strides at PSG, this could be Kylian Mbappe’s best opportunity to win the coveted prize.

Euro 2024 is key to Kylian Mbappe’s Ballon d’Or hopes despite being ‘not the criteria’

This is the opinion of Janusz Michallik, a soccer expert on the ESPN FC show. As per him, “I think if Mbappe has a tournament like he had in Argentina remember that you know I mean he did score a hat trick in the final if they were to win it(Euro 2024), people will remember that even though that’s not the criteria. I think you know for Mbappe to win it he has to win the Euros in my opinion.” The pundit has been spot-on with his take about people-remembering. The highs and thrills of a knockout tournament are much more easily engrained in the minds of fans and experts as compared to a 38-game league season.

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This is likely the reason why Lionel Messi beat Erling Haaland to the Ballon d’Or, despite the latter winning a treble and scoring 50 goals in the calendar year. Also, as per the soccer expert, the English duo of Harry Kane & Jude Bellingham are the main rivals to Kylian Mbappe for the Ballon d’Or. With them, England is also a serious threat to France’s Euro aspirations. As per his previous comments, it seems the Frenchman himself recognizes how important winning international tournaments are in the context of the Ballon d’Or.

“He Is the Best” – Kylian Mbappe Backed for Ballon d’Or Win by Ex-Rival

‘Messi had to win it, he won the World Cup’, Mbappe’s words portray brutal Ballon d’Or truth

Kylian Mbappe outperformed Lionel Messi in the 22/23 Ligue 1 campaign (29 goals against 16). Yet his comments following Messi’s 8th Ballon d’Or victory are quite interesting. He said, “Messi had to win it, he won the World Cup, he won the Ballon d’Or. Haaland is also having a great season, me too… but next to winning a World Cup it doesn’t weigh much.”

Despite boasting better numbers and league campaigns, the duo fell short as the Argentina maestro clinched the Ballon d’Or courtesy of his World Cup victory. Messi had 100 more votes than treble-winning Haaland who was 2nd. Kylian Mbappe, who came up short against the Argentine in the final, would have learned what it takes to win the Golden Ball.

Can he win the Ballon d’Or this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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