Ronaldinho, in his remarks to AFP on Sunday, opined that Kylian Mbappe can secure the Ballon d’Or regardless of the team, while expressing a desire for Mbappe to achieve this accolade with Paris Saint-Germain, a club he deems as ‘big.’
‘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 French captain’s best-ever ranking of third place this year is overshadowed by the persistent elusiveness of the prestigious award.
‘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.
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The year ahead holds the potential for both busyness and uncertainty in Mbappe’s future.
There’s potential for the 24-year-old to make a run to the finals of the Champions League and participate in 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.
An uncertain contract negotiation raises the possibility of Mbappe departing from Paris in June.
Real Madrid, having pursued him for years, seems to be the most appealing option to secure his commitment.