Mbappé Prioritises Champions League Glory With Real Madrid Over Ballon d’Or
Kylian Mbappé has put the Champions League ahead of the Ballon d’Or after scoring in Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Inter at the Bernabéu.
What we know
- Mbappé said winning Europe’s top club competition with Madrid matters to him more than claiming the individual Ballon d’Or award.
- He and Federico Valverde scored before half-time as Madrid punished two Inter defensive errors.
- Carlos Augusto reduced the deficit after the break, while Inter controlled long spells of the match, but Madrid held on for three points.
- The game was José Mourinho’s first European fixture since returning to the Madrid job.
- Mbappé is on the men’s Ballon d’Or shortlist after hitting 10 goals during France’s run to the World Cup semi-finals this summer.
- The forward has not won a major club trophy since joining Madrid two years ago. Madrid went out to Bayern Munich in last season’s Champions League quarter-finals.
Madrid’s next step in Europe
Mbappé urged caution despite the opening win. He said the campaign is only beginning and Madrid must improve as a unit if they are to challenge the strongest sides.
“That is the target,” Mbappé said of lifting the Champions League. “For me, it is more important than the Ballon d’Or. I am playing for the club of my dreams, and winning it here is what I want most.”
He added that the Ballon d’Or remains a major chance in what he described as a strong personal year, but stressed Madrid’s collective level will decide whether they can go deep in the competition.
“At Real Madrid, you have to be at the top,” he said. “We want to compete together and get to where we want to be.”
