Mbappe: I think I have a great chance of winning the Ballon d'Or this year, but it is still too early

In the first round of the Champions League league phase, Real Madrid will host Inter Milan. Forward Kylian Mbappe attended the pre-match press conference with Mourinho and responded to some outside doubts.

I am very happy to return to the Champions League. We are always full of motivation and expectations for this competition. We are in good form and will face a tough match, but this is the Champions League, and playing these games is enjoyable.

What do you think about the view that Mbappe and Vinicius cannot coexist?

This is one of the many opinions people have about Real Madrid, because Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world. I cannot control what people think. We have a common goal, which is to win titles. We cannot control how people view us; we listen to advice, work to improve and move forward.

How do you and the coach work together to help you, Vinicius and Bellingham all perform at your best?

I do not like evaluating players separately from the team. Fans and media like doing that because it creates topics. I do not know how you see it, but I focus on the team and on how we can improve and win titles.

After going trophyless for two seasons, do you feel you owe Real Madrid something?

I only think about the upcoming matches. My experience tells me this is a long process. Every day I should think about how to help the team.

Do you think you should win the Ballon d'Or? Do you feel you have never been closer to winning it?

I think when you play for Real Madrid, the world's best club, people naturally associate you with awards like this. Many people I meet on the street mention the Ballon d'Or, and many believe I have a chance to win it. For every player, this award is a positive recognition. This summer, I did make history at one of the most important events in sport, but we will wait and see. I think I have a great chance this year, but there is still a long time before the result is announced. People have the right to vote for the player they believe is the world's best.

Putting aside whether you win the Ballon d'Or, do you think you are the best player in the world?

(Laughs) This is a very subjective question. Everyone has their own opinion. Some people here may think I am the best in the world, while others may not. I do not think this is something that needs to be debated endlessly. There is no need for everyone to think the same way as me. Of course I believe this year is a good opportunity for me to win the Ballon d'Or, but as I said before, the voters are journalists, and they will choose the best player in the world in their minds.

Do you and Vinicius need to improve defensively?

Only me and Vinicius? Of course we should improve, but that is completely natural. I could also say that I have scored more goals than Paris players, so they should score more goals. But I need to be smart and say that I should improve, even though I have also done things others cannot do. This is an endless debate. All of us should improve defensively and also improve our possession.

It is said that Mourinho's return to Real Madrid was to restore the team's fighting spirit. What do you think is his biggest strength as a coach?

It is difficult to answer a question that starts with 'it is said'. Said by whom? He is someone who knows how to win, who can inspire the people around him. He brings motivation to the entire club and team and can win matches.

Do you think the atmosphere in the dressing room needs to improve?

I think the atmosphere in the dressing room has always been good. Of course we need to improve in many areas, such as scoring more goals, but we are in good form and calm.

Mourinho said he would rather have a Mbappe who scores 40 goals in a season and wins trophies than one who scores 60 goals without trophies. Do you agree?

If we can win titles, I would be willing to score fewer goals, even 30 in a season. I would not say this is a topic only people who do not play football discuss, but it is indeed quite absurd. If I score 40 goals in a season and we can compete for La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, should I stop scoring because if I score too many goals we cannot win titles? I certainly want to win trophies, but this is not an either-or situation. We should do both: score goals and win trophies.

Was the loss to Spain the most difficult defeat to accept in your career?

It was very painful, but whether it was the most painful is hard to say, because I have lost a World Cup final and a Champions League final. But! I think for this country, that was the best tournament because we showed a good image. We cannot always win the World Cup because that is not possible, but we always have the desire to win the title. The day we no longer have that desire is the day we should leave.

Do you feel you should take on more leadership responsibility?

I have two different environments: the national team and Real Madrid. Of course I should step up in both environments, but with the national team I am the captain, while here I am not. As a player, I want to keep improving. This is not only for France or Real Madrid, but because I want to understand the game more deeply. I have worked with different coaches, which has helped me understand how we should adapt to different situations. As I always say, a match contains many matches, and all this in-game management can provide you with the most complete information.

People think Paris started winning the Champions League because you left. Do you think that evaluation is unfair?

I cannot change facts. I cannot discuss this topic in a general way. I actually do not care. I do not know everything about football, but I do know more than many people. I am calm. Sometimes those are not real analyses, but just topics designed to attract attention. Talking about me itself generates a lot of attention.