Mbappe: I don't care about Ballon d'Or
France's forward Kylian Mbappe (left) jumps over Belgium's midfielder Kevin De Bruyne during their 2018 World Cup semi-final match at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on July 10, 2018. PHOTO | CHRISTOPHE SIMON |
What you need to know:
- "When you do not cheat and work for the collective, you are rewarded. As long as I can help the team, it's all that matters to me.
- "I do not care about the Ballon d'Or, I want the World Cup."
Kylian Mbappe says he wants to win the World Cup and is not interested in individual awards such as the Ballon d'Or.
Mbappe starred as France beat Belgium 1-0 in Tuesday's World Cup semi-final, booking a spot against either England or Croatia, creating a great chance for Olivier Giroud with a wonderful backheel pass.
France have not won the tournament since 1998 when they triumphed on home soil, with Mbappe tipped as a possible Golden Ball winner due to his fine performances.
The 19-year-old has also been suggested as a contender for the Ballon d'Or, having become the first teenager since Pele to score more than once in a World Cup game.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Mbappe, though, has his full focus on Russia 2018 as France look to go one step further than their loss in the final of Euro 2016 against Portugal.
"It's unimaginable. It is the dream of a life, of a future life, of everything. I do not have the words," Mbappe said to TF1.
"Even in my biggest dreams I had not imagined that, and yet I am a big dreamer. But it remains a step.
"When you do not cheat and work for the collective, you are rewarded. As long as I can help the team, it's all that matters to me.
"I do not care about the Ballon d'Or, I want the World Cup."
