Mbappé's Chances of Winning the Ballon d'Or in 2019: An In-Depth Analysis

With the summer transfer window in full swing, the anticipation of Kylian Mbappé joining Real Madrid has reignited debates on his chances of securing the prestigious Ballon d'Or trophy in 2019.

Could Mbappé Secure the Ballon d'Or?

Yes, he could, and some would hope for him to do so, but no guarantees exist. His teammate, Neymar, was even a better player at the same age but faced setbacks due to poor sporting decisions and injuries, resulting in him missing the Ballon d'Or despite his overall performance. Currently, Mbappé finds himself in a never-ending transfer loop with Real Madrid, considering a one-year suspension rather than transferring to PSG. Whether or not he accepts this deal, it casts doubt on his immediate future at Les Parisiens.

Recipe for Success: Winning with Real Madrid

Assuming Mbappé makes the move to Real Madrid, all he needs is to secure a UEFA Champions League victory to clinch the trophy. However, if Hazard also performs exceptionally, it may pose a threat to Mbappé's dominance. From a realistic standpoint, the 2019 Ballon d'Or might remain elusive for Mbappé, as several factors undermine his current chances.

Challenging the Merit of the Ballon d'Or

Mbappé's prospects for the Ballon d'Or are indeed slim, and some argue that the award may be meaningless. This year, Messi finished in 5th place, despite consistently scoring over 30 goals and providing top assists in La Liga. However, his country's underwhelming World Cup performance saw him drop to 5th place, highlighting the shift in the Ballon d'Or's criteria from individual brilliance to team success.

Comparing Mbappé and Messi

Let's compare the stats for the 2017/2018 season excluding international play:

Player Games Played Goals Assists Mbappé 39 27 6 Messi 53 47 19

Clearly, Messi's statistics are superior to Mbappé's. With an exceptional track record, Messi has consistently been at the top of the Ballon d'Or rankings for a decade. In contrast, Mbappé has only one standout season with PSG, which pales in comparison to Messi's years of dominant performances.

The New Criteria for the Ballon d'Or

Since the change in criteria, the Ballon d'Or now favors individual team contributions over personal accolades. France's World Cup victory and Mbappé's performance putting him in 4th place underline this trend. However, the criteria also allow anyone whose national team performs well in the World Cup to win the award. This has led to a more inclusive but less prevalent standard for the Ballon d'Or.

Conclusion

While Mbappé's undeniable talent and recent achievements make him a potential winner, the evolving criteria for the Ballon d'Or make his chances merely 'pretty slim and unusual'. As of now, the Ballon d'Or appears to be within reach for Mbappé, but whether he will succeed depends heavily on external factors such as team performance and the traditional merits of the players.