Kylian Mbappe: I meet criteria to win 2023 Ballon d’Or award
- ESPN
Jun 20, 2023, 12:45 PM
Kylian Mbappe has said he deserves to be one of the candidates to win the 2023 Ballon d’Or award.
After scoring the winner for France in their 1-0 victory over Greece on Monday, Mbappe became the best French scorer over a season with 54 goals for club and country, surpassing the mark set by Just Fontaine in 1957-58.
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Mbappe, 25, helped Paris Saint-Germain retain the Ligue 1 title this year and also impressed at the World Cup by winning the Golden Boot and scoring a hat trick in the final against eventual winners Argentina.
When asked about whether he should be considered for this year’s Ballon d’Or, Mbappe told TF1: “It’s always difficult to talk about an individual trophy, because you have to put yourself forward on your own and that’s something that doesn’t necessarily pass in the eyes of the general public.
“The new criteria, it’s about burning eyes, it’s someone who has had an impact … I think I correspond to these criteria, so I would say…yes. But we’ll see.”
The PSG forward will be competing with Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland for this year’s prize.
– Marcotti: PSG or Madrid? Why Mbappe’s options may be limited
Messi was named the best player at the World Cup after leading Argentina to the trophy. Haaland scored 52 goals in his debut campaign at Manchester City as they won a historic treble.
Mbappe’s future is up in the air this summer after the forward sent a letter to PSG stating that he had no intention of extending his contract, which expires in 2024.
ESPN reported that Real Madrid are interested in signing him this summer, but Mbappe said he has his sights set on staying in France next season.
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Lionel Messi debut for Inter Miami set for July 21
- Adriana Garcia
Jun 20, 2023, 12:19 PM
Inter Miami CF are planning for Lionel Messi to make his debut on July 21 in a Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul, owner Jorge Mas told reporters Monday.
Messi, 35, said earlier this month he intends to sign for Miami after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, although a deal remains to be finalised.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
In a wide-ranging interview with a small group of reporters, including the Miami Herald, managing owner Mas said the club will not get direct subsidy from the MLS and that “no rules are being changed to incorporate Messi on to Inter Miami’s roster.”
Miami plan for Messi, who is on holiday in Rosario, to make his debut at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, against Mexican side Cruz Azul on July 21.
Mas said Miami are preparing for Messi’s arrival, which includes work on increasing the capacity of their stadium to 22,000 by adding approximately 3,000 seats. Security for players will be enhanced both for home and away games.Lionel Messi has said he intends to sign for Inter Miami, although a deal has not yet been finalised. Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
“As you may recall, Argentina trained in Miami before they flew over to Doha [for 2022 World Cup], where we had an opportunity to see some of the Messi mania at our doors on an everyday basis during practice. So, we’re very prepared. We’ve been getting ready for this,” Mas said.
The Argentina captain said last week that he is “eager and ready to face this new challenge” after turning down offers to move to Barcelona and Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.
Mas said he believes Messi’s arrival will be a game changer for Major League Soccer and encouraged other owners to “seize the moment.”
“I think there will always be a ‘before and after Messi’ when we talk about the sport in the United States,” he said. “I cannot overemphasise the magnitude of this announcement. Having the world’s greatest player here is something that is significant for our league, and for the football ecosystem in the United States … Lionel Messi is coming to this country to win cups and make a difference.
“I think it’s incumbent upon myself and my partners in the league, the other owners, to seize the moment.”
Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.
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