Kylian Mbappe talks Dembele, Yamal, Ballon d’Or PSG, Champions League | OneFootball

Speaking to the media ahead of France’s UEFA Nations League third-place playoff match against Germany, Kylian Mbappe gave his pick for the 2025 Ballon d’Or while also shedding light on his thoughts about PSG winning the UEFA Champions League.

After years of heartbreak, Les Parisiens won the UCL the same season in which Mbappe left the club for Real Madrid.

Ousmane Dembele emerged as the main man in attack for Luis Enrique’s team and as such, the winger finds himself in the conversation for the Ballon d’Or alongside Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.

When asked to name his pick for the top honour, the Real Madrid and France forward said:

“Would I vote for Dembele? Yes. Do I really need to explain? We’re talking about Yamal and Dembele, I’m going for Dembele. It’s very clear!”

Continuing, he added: “Today we’re talking about Ousmane and Lamine. It changes very quickly, the last winners showed that. We weren’t talking about certain players who won in the end. Is it September?

“A lot will happen between now and then, but today we’re talking about Ousmane and Lamine. That’s why I replied.”

Talking about his former club PSG’s UEFA Champions League triumph, Mbappe said: “It’s 100% deserved. I was in Morocco, watching the match at the Fairmont in Marrakech.

“I was happy, they deserved it, they’ve been through so many problems, I’ve been through that too, I’ve been through every stage of the Champions League except winning it.

“They were the best team in Europe. I can’t remember ever seeing them go 5-0 up. It’s 100% deserved, they’re becoming the team everyone wants to beat.”

Mbappe happy for PSG after their UCL win. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

On whether he was affected that PSG won the UCL the season he left and Real Madrid ended with no ajor trophies, Mbappe remarked:

“A blank season? Are you sure? What’s an off-season? What’s a blank season? Do you watch the games? We won two titles. That’s the importance of words. We missed out on some important titles. It’s been a rewarding year.

“PSG won the UCL without me, that doesn’t affect me. That’s a good thing. I think we all face challenges in our careers. I’m a bit more in the eye of the storm, which is good, I’ve always liked being in these positions, it’s up to me to work.

“I’ve reversed quite a few trends in my career, I’ve had a lot of things stuck on my back, and I’ve managed to get them off. Now it’s up to me to work.”

On being asked if he left PSG a tad bit too soon, Mbappe replied: “Did I leave too soon? No. My story was over, it had to end. There was no bitterness, I’d reached the end of the road. I would have tried anything. It’s just fate that it had to happen without me.”

Talking about his position on the field, having been moved to the No. 9 position for both club and country, the France captain said:

“Being No. 9 for club and country isn’t the same. But I think I’ve made progress in certain areas. I’m starting to acclimatise to this position. In football everything is unpredictable, but today I’m in the centre.”

Source: RMC Sport