Kylian Mbappe Deserves Next Ballon D’or – Raphael Varane
Jul 19, 2018 at 1:28 PM
France defender Raphael Varane believes his team-mate, Kylian Mbappe deserves Ballon d’Or after a sensational performance in the FIFA World Cup 2018.
Mbappe won the Young player of the tournament award in Russia.
The 19-year old teenager scored four goals in the World Cup including a brace against Lionel Messi’s Argentina. He also scored in the final against Croatia and inspired his side lift the World Cup for the second time. Varane told L’Equipe,
“If he does not win the next Ballon d’Or, we will tell him that it is not normal — we will yell at him! Yes, Kylian is a more precocious talent than I was. His intelligence and maturity really left an impression — his talent is monstrous.”
“I have known some extra-terrestrial talents in my time, but I think that this is the first time that I have met a young alien! Everything moves quickly. When I speak tactics with him prematch, I do not have time to finish my sentences — he has already understood and assimilated it.”
Varane also said that expectations are now always high on Mbappe,
“Whatever happens, I advise Kylian to keep playing the same role for Les Bleus — he will certainly become even more important over the years. He should continue to do what he knows how to do, without trying to burden himself by doing too much, and stay this way — he should remain focused on his role for the team.”
“You cannot demand of somebody just 20 years old to fill the role of a 35-year-old veteran. When you burst onto the scene early like Kylian has, expectations are high,” he added.
Midfielder Blaise Matuidi has also praised Mbappe, pointing at his performance in the 4-3 win over Argentina in the World Cup round of 16.
“We knew that we had a phenomenon among us. To do what he did against Argentina in the round of 16, though, that is something else … I tipped my hat to him that day.”
“Europe already knew it, but the entire planet was made aware of Kylian on that day — he is on track to become a Ballon d’Or winner in the next few years,” he concluded.