According to goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, Kylian Mbappe will win numerous Ballon d’Or awards once Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo step away from the top tier of football.
“When Messi and Ronaldo retire, Mbappe will follow in their footsteps. He will win many Ballon d’Or awards,” Emiliano Martinez said in the French newspaper L’Equipe on November 2.
The Argentine national team goalkeeper also emphasized that Mbappe inspires young players to follow and is an exceptional talent. He cited Mbappe’s World Cup victory in 2018 at a young age and his performance in the subsequent World Cup final, where he scored a hat-trick. According to Martinez, the French fans should be proud to have a player like him.
Martinez also denied any lack of respect for Mbappe. On the contrary, he holds the French star in high regard. “He’s not considered one of the best players in the world for no reason. I have a lot of respect for him as a player and as a man,” Martinez said.
Last year, following the World Cup final between Argentina and France, Martinez was said to have gathered his teammates to “spend a minute in remembrance for Mbappe.” Later, during the victory celebration in Argentina, the 31-year-old goalkeeper was found holding a doll with a mask of the French forward.
Martinez’s actions had sparked outrage among French fans. On October 30, after receiving the Yashin award for the best goalkeeper of the year from France Football magazine, Martinez faced criticism from several fans. The tension escalated to the point that the host, Didier Drogba, had to step in to mediate.
Mbappe has not yet won a Ballon d’Or. In the 2023 race, the PSG forward finished third behind Messi and Erling Haaland. Messi set a record with his eighth Ballon d’Or win, extending his lead over the second-placed Ronaldo by three awards. Legends Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, and Marco Van Basten all share the third spot with three Ballon d’Or wins.
Last year, in the World Cup final, Mbappe scored a hat-trick against Martinez. However, France only managed a 3-3 draw against Argentina in 120 minutes and lost 2-4 in the penalty shootout. After the match, Mbappe won the Golden Boot and the Silver Ball for the World Cup, while Messi took home the Silver Boot and the Ballon d’Or.
