Mourinho backs Mbappé for Ballon d'Or, says trophies should not decide | OneFootball

José Mourinho has argued that the Ballon d'Or should not be awarded simply for winning the Champions League or the World Cup, and without naming him he pointed towards Kylian Mbappé as the standout candidate.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the Real Madrid manager set out his view during a Saturday press conference at Valdebebas, ahead of Sunday's LaLiga meeting with Málaga.

He said the best player is one you will miss when he stops, citing Maradona, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo Nazario, Cristiano, Messi and Zidane. He added that only a handful meet that bar right now and that one of them, here, made history this summer, a clear nod to Mbappé, who recently became the World Cup's all-time leading scorer ahead of Leo Messi.

His stance followed Mbappé's hat-trick against Real Sociedad three days earlier, after a laboured opening win at Cornellà sealed by Carlos Espí in the 90th minute. Madrid then stepped up at the Bernabéu on Wednesday.

Mourinho expects fitness to sharpen as weeks pass, with some players having had only two weeks of training after deep World Cup runs. He is preparing changes for Sunday at 17.00, revealing that Cucurella will start in place of Carreras.

In a conciliatory mood, he praised Bellingham, Vinícius, Mbappé, Diomande, Thiago Pitarch and Carreras, and commended Arbeloa's work with the academy. He will not impose an overnight stay, allowing the squad to sleep at home, while Espí, Cucurella and Mourinho remain at Valdebebas.

He said he is very happy with everyone as Madrid face newly promoted Málaga, who began with defeat at the Metropolitano and a home draw with Deportivo. He will still be without Tchouaméni, Rodrygo, Asencio, Militao, Mendy, Thiago Pitarch and Endrick, whom he expects back next week.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

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