Ian King

🚨Kylian Mbappé on Harry Kane winning the Ballon d’Or ahead of him and Lamine Yamal: 🗣️ Kylian Mbappé: “To be honest, I sat there throughout the ceremony and listened to everything. I barely moved from my seat because, at some point, I genuinely wanted to see whether they were going to invite us onto the stage or simply hand every award to the Spanish players! “Every time they announced a winner, it felt like another Spanish player was going to collect a trophy. And I’m sitting there thinking, ‘Okay, let’s see how this ends.’ “At one point, Michael Olise turned to me and said, ‘Kylian, when did the Ballon d’Or become a country achievement?’ “I laughed and told him, ‘Just sit down and watch. We haven’t seen the final award yet.’ “Then Lamine won the Young Player of the Year award. Congratulations to him, because he is an incredible talent. But we were still waiting for the biggest prize of the night. “Finally, they announced the men’s Ballon d’Or winner, and it was Harry Kane. “Honestly, if I had to choose between Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal winning it ahead of me, I would rather see Harry win it. “Not because I have anything against Lamine. He is a fantastic player, and I respect what he has achieved. But Harry represents something I deeply respect about football. He has worked for years, carried enormous expectations and continued to deliver at the highest level. “Seeing him lift that trophy made me happy. I was proud of him, genuinely. But let me be clear: I didn’t travel to that ceremony to support Harry Kane. I went there because I wanted to win the Ballon d’Or myself. “And I think people sometimes forget that. You can respect another player, congratulate him and appreciate his achievement while still being disappointed that you didn’t win. “I sat there watching him celebrate, and part of me was happy for him. Another part of me was asking what I needed to do differently to make sure I would be the one standing on that stage next time. “People might look at my reaction and say, ‘Mbappé should be grateful to be nominated.’ Of course I’m grateful. But I didn’t reach this level by being satisfied with nominations. “I want to win. I want to be the best. And when I lose, I don’t suddenly pretend that winning was never important to me. “I would rather lose the Ballon d’Or to a player I respect than win the sympathy of people who tell me I deserved it after the ceremony.” “Harry had his night, and I respect that. But my story isn’t finished. If working harder, scoring more goals, improving my game and taking greater responsibility are what it takes, then that is exactly what I will do. “I won’t ask anyone to feel sorry for me. I won’t complain about the result. I will go back to work. “Because the next time I walk into that ceremony, I don’t want to sit there wondering whose name they are going to announce. “I want to hear my own name and I want nobody to have an argument about whether I deserve it.”