Ballon d'Or: Kylian Mbappe picks his top three for the 2022 award

The race for the 2022 Ballon d’Or is on.

Friday evening saw the 30 official nominees for the award announced by France Football, with Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe deservedly one of them.

The Frenchman was absolutely sensational throughout the 2021/22 season. In his 46 appearances across all competitions, he bagged 39 goals and notched 26 assists.

That return is quite simply phenomenal and it’s why Mbappe is tipped by some to make the podium at the Ballon d’Or trophy ceremony in October.

However, it’s very unlikely the 23-year-old will triumph overall in the voting, as the award has Karim Benzema’s name written all over it.

Real Madrid‘s talisman played football from another planet last season and was the main reason why the club claimed a La Liga and Champions League double.

If Benzema doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or for the very first time, it’ll be nothing short of a travesty.

Even Mbappe, his partner-in-crime on international duty, is well aware of that fact…

“I would say that this year is a success for Benzema,” Mbappe said in a recent interview with France Football. 

“He’s 34 years old, has just had the season of his life, has won another Champions League and is often decisive… If I were Karim, if I don’t win this, I’ll stop thinking about the Ballon d’Or forever.”

Fair play, Kylian.

Mbappe was also asked to name his top three for the 2022 Ballon d’Or.

The PSG striker added: “My top three? I would say Benzema, myself, and [Sadio] Mane.”

Mane over the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne? Interesting.

The Bayern Munich forward was magnificent for Liverpool yet again in 2021/22 and was also the catalyst for Senegal’s maiden Africa Cup of Nations win at the start of the year.

Mane