Kylian Mbappe can “win the Ballon d’Or for any team”, says Ronaldinho, with the Paris Saint-Germain forward continuing to be linked with Real Madrid.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The World Cup-winning France international is considered to occupy a talent pool that is ready to make a serious splash on the global stage. With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo approaching the end of their respective careers, another generation of superstars is poised to compete for the title of best player on the planet.

Getty ImagesWHAT RONALDINHO SAID ABOUT MBAPPE

Mbappe is expected to land a Golden Ball at some stage, given all that he has already achieved at the age of 24, and former PSG playmaker Ronaldinho believes the talismanic frontman can win that prize in his current surroundings. The Brazil and Barcelona legend, who collected the Ballon d’Or back in 2005, has told AFP: “A great player like him can have the chance to win the Ballon d’Or for any team, but as I love PSG, I want him to do it with PSG.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Mbappe finished third in the 2023 Ballon d’Or vote behind Argentine idol Messi and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland. He helped to guide France to within touching distance of World Cup glory in 2022 – netting a hat-trick in a thrilling final showdown – and is also PSG’s all-time leading goalscorer with 230 efforts for the Ligue 1 giants to his name.

Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE?

That bar may not be raised much higher, with Mbappe running down his contract in Paris. He has opted against triggering an extension clause, meaning that he is due to hit free agency in the summer of 2024 – with Real Madrid and Liverpool considered to sit on an ever-growing list of suitors.