Mbappé times his Ballon d’Or credentials to perfection after masterful performance against Inter

No sooner was the list of nominees for this year’s Ballon d’Or revealed than Kylian Mbappé gave a huge statement in his quest to win the accolade with an all-round performance against Inter Milan in Real Madrid’s opening game of this Champions League season at the Bernabéu.

It has been a record-breaking year for Mbappé on an individual level. With a ten-goal World Cup outing in the summer, he not only won the Golden Boot but is also now the outright highest-ever goal-getter in World Cup history, overtaking Lionel Messi, who has now retired from international football. He was the leading goal-scorer in last season’s Champions League, while also leading the charts in LaLiga.

Altogether, Mbappé scored 42 times in 44 appearances last season for Los Blancos, while hitting double digits at the World Cup with France. While he did come up empty-handed, having finished trophyless last season while finishing fourth with Les Bleus at the World Cup, his individual numbers are hard to ignore.

Mbappé has also started this season the same way he did the last one, helping himself to four goals in his first three games, though he was brought to a screeching halt in his side’s defeat against Real Betis, himself missing a stoppage-time penalty to salvage a point for his side. However, he dusted himself off quickly and continues to do what he does best: lead by example and show his worth through his performances.

Against Inter, he got on the scoresheet as early as the 14th minute after ruthlessly capitalising on a Yann Bisseck error to give his side the lead. He could have easily had a brace by half-time, but his sumptuous 50-yard run and dribble that sat down two Inter defenders was well-saved by Inter keeper Josep Martínez.

Apart from his goals, Mbappé also had a good all-round performance, which was very instrumental in keeping Inter at arm’s length despite them getting a late goal to keep things testy and uncomfortable towards the end. 

Even apart from his performances, Mbappé has been very vocal about advocating himself for the Ballon d’Or. In the pre-game conference on Monday, he did not play down his chances of winning the prize, reminding the journalists present in the room that he is now the record-holder for the most World Cup goals, while also holding his own about his lack of pressing intensity and defensive duties in what was a gentle pushback from him.

With the nominations comparatively strong this time around, Mbappé has placed himself right in the mix with not only his vocal stance on the matter, but also his performances on the field, which is the ultimate currency. And with his impactful and match-sealing performance against Inter, he has timed his Ballon d’Or credentials to perfection.