Kylian Mbappe dealt stunning Ballon d’Or blow as France icon backs Khvicha Kvaratskhelia instead
Michel Platini has handed Kylian Mbappe a surprise Ballon d’Or blow after backing Paris Saint-Germain forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to win the prestigious award this year.
The France legend believes Kvaratskhelia’s Champions League success with PSG makes him a strong candidate, despite Mbappe producing a historic moment for France at the World Cup.
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Mbappe became the all-time top scorer at the World Cup this summer, a remarkable individual achievement that has strengthened his case for the award.
Photo by M Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images
Michel Platini backs Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for Ballon d’Or
Platini’s choice is particularly notable given the strength of the competition for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
According to The Tribuna, the former France star said: ‘For the Ballon d’Or, I’d put a small bet on the Paris Saint-Germain player, Kvaratskhelia.’
Platini then explained why he had chosen the Georgian forward.
‘He won the Champions League title with Paris Saint-Germain,’ he said.
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That European success appears to be the key factor for Platini, who pointed to the demands of winning the competition across a long campaign.
‘The Champions League means playing a lot of matches. And there are 4 or 5 other players who also deserve the award,’ Platini added.
Kvaratskhelia joined PSG and helped the French side secure the Champions League, putting himself firmly into the conversation for the individual prize.
However, Mbappe’s World Cup scoring achievement gives the Real Madrid forward a compelling argument of his own.
The France captain became the tournament’s all-time leading goalscorer, adding another major individual record to his already impressive career.
Photo by Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP via Getty Images
There has also been debate over whether PSG players or members of the Spanish national team should take the prize.
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Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho reportedly offered a different view, arguing that neither a PSG player nor a Spain international should win the award.
Instead, Mourinho pointed towards Mbappe’s historic individual achievement at the World Cup as a reason to favour the Real Madrid star.
Kvaratskhelia will now have to wait alongside Mbappe and the other leading contenders to discover who takes home the award.
October will provide the answer, with reigning winner Ousmane Dembele also expected to be among the strongest candidates to defend his Ballon d’Or crown.
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