Former Ballon d’Or winner Michael Owen has identified Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe as a leading contender for this year’s prestigious accolade. Despite Mbappe’s campaign lacking major collective trophies, Owen maintains that his individual performances have been exceptional enough to warrant winning the France Football award.
Endorsement and Modern Dynamics
Speaking to Get French Football News, Owen backed Mbappe’s claim that he deserves the honor. Reflecting on his own 2001 Ballon d’Or victory, the former England striker noted that he never personally campaigned for votes. However, he believes that the social media hype has changed things now and said: “It is a different game today.”
Leading Contenders and Ambitions
- Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal are currently leading the race for the Ballon d’Or.
- Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is also considered among the top front-runners for the award this year.
Mbappe, who recently spoke to AS, has been vocal about his desire to win the trophy. He claimed that the award should return to Santiago Bernabéu and said he is actively highlighting his credentials. Mbappe’s strategy of conducting multiple interviews represents a shift in how players approach the award, contrasting with the more passive methods of previous eras.
