Mbappé explains why he calls himself “the best player in the world”

Kylian Mbappé has explained why he continues to describe himself as “the best player in the world”: he says the belief is genuine and gives him motivation. In an interview after receiving the Onze d’Or, the Real Madrid forward also discussed how he handles criticism, his career and the enjoyment of football he wants to hold on to.

“If I say it, it’s because I believe it and because it motivates me,” Mbappé said. He knows his country’s history and culture, he added, and understands that remarks of this kind can provoke a reaction. In his view, his self-confidence is not simply an attempt to stir controversy. He believes that entering competition while thinking others are capable of doing better means placing a limit on yourself: “To achieve great things, you can’t go into competition thinking other people are capable of doing better than you.”

The Frenchman also described how his relationship with criticism has changed. When he was younger, he wondered why some people did not like him and what he could do to make them do so. He says he did not yet have enough distance to see the situation from another perspective. Now, he says, he understands different reactions better. He also stressed the importance of staying true to one’s values while accepting that mistakes and failure can be part of the journey.

He does not claim to be faultless. “People who think I’m perfect don’t watch television,” he said wryly, adding that he had no problem admitting he could be wrong. He also argued that television appearances cannot reveal a person’s true character. “Nobody really knows you through television,” he said, noting that some assessments can be far removed from reality.

Asked to rate his professional career so far, Mbappé gave it 10 out of 10. He explained that the value of the experience was not measured only by achievements, but also included difficult periods. What comes to mind first, he said, is neither his goals nor his trophies, but the fact that he has not been bored throughout these “ten or eleven years” of his career.

Enjoyment is also central to his view of success. Before goals and titles, he says, he is proud to have continued enjoying the game. On players’ role in making supporters happy, he said: “I think we also played to make the fans happy. Knowing that you were able to enjoy yourself more than anyone else is always satisfying.” He added that he is happy to be living the dream he had as a child, despite the challenges and changes brought by his professional career. His view of football has evolved, he said, but he has kept what mattered from the start: “the joy and passion of the game.”

The interview followed Mbappé’s victory in the Onze d’Or. The award, presented by Onze Mondial magazine on the basis of its readers’ vote, went to him with 48.2% of the votes. João Neves finished second with 11.9%, ahead of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on 10.8% and Lamine Yamal on 9.7%. Mbappé also noted that previous recipients include Diego Maradona, Zinédine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo.