Star French striker Kylian Mbappe can win the Ballon d’Or in “any team”, Ronaldinho told AFP Sunday, but the Brazilian would like him to win it with Paris Saint-Germain, “a big club”.
“A great player like him can have the opportunity to win the
Ballon d’Or in any team, but as I love PSG, I would like him to do it with
PSG,” the 2002 World Champion said.
“I hope he will win it. He is a good friend and a very great
player. I like his style of play,” he said during an interview with AFP in
Thailand.
The prestigious award still eludes the French captain, who
finished this year in third place — his best ranking to date.
“Winning the big competitions will help him a lot,” said
Ronaldinho, who wore No.10 for PSG from 2001 to 2003.
“PSG is a great club,” the Brazilian said during a visit to
Bangkok as an ambassador for Teqball, a novelty sport combining football and
table tennis.
Next year promises to be both busy and potentially uncertain
for Mbappe.
The 24-year-old could see a possible run to the finals of
the Champions League, as well as the Euro 2024 with PSG.
“As every year, it is very difficult (to win the Champions
League). But PSG has a great coach, very great players, and therefore,
everything is possible,” the former Barcelona and Milan player said.
But Paris coach Luis Enrique — under whom Ronaldinho played
for a season at Barca in 2003 and 2004 — is a “very good coach.”
“As a player, he was very strong. I saw what he
accomplished. I hope things go very well for him,” he said.
Mbappe also has to negotiate an uncertain contract, which
could see his departure from Paris in June.
Real Madrid, which has been courting him for several years,
appears best placed to attract him.
AFP