Former Real Madrid captain says Mbappe is a top player and has proved it with his goals
Sergio Ramos has thrown his support behind Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe, saying that he fully expects the Frenchman to dominate the Ballon d’Or stage over the next decade.
The former Madrid captain joined Mexican side Monterrey in February on a one-year deal and will therefore be participating in this summer’s Club World Cup. Speaking ahead of his side’s opening match against Champions League runners-up Inter Milan, the veteran defender said that Mbappe would have been a top contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or if Real Madrid hadn’t ended the season trophyless.
“He won the Golden Boot, but didn’t secure the major trophies others have,” Ramos told reporters. “These are individual awards not team titles, but in football those collective achievements often tip the scales.
“There are some top-level players out there who’ve won the Champions League, domestic leagues, even the Nations League. They are small details that make the difference.”
Mbappe joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain last summer in one of the most anticipated transfers of the decade. Despite massive expectations, however, Madrid missed out on the Copa del Rey, crashed out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals, and fell short in the La Liga title race with Barcelona.
Yet Mbappe still delivered, finishing with 31 goals in all competitions and winning the Pichichi Trophy as La Liga’s top scorer.
“It’s not a matter of personal opinion, but if it were up to me, Kylian would win four or five Ballon d’Ors in the next decade, maybe even more,” said Ramos. “He’s got the talent, and he’s already proven that with his goals, which is what a player of that level should do.”
