Ronaldinho backs 'great friend' Kylian Mbappe for the Ballon d'Or as he admits Real Madrid the ideal club for fellow World Cup winner to 'flourish' despite Barcelona ties

France international Mbappe became another ‘Galactico’ at Santiago Bernabeu during the summer of 2024. He walked away from Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent after becoming a World Cup winner and their all-time leading goalscorer.

Mbappe had been linked with Real for several years, with that career path finally being trodden at 26 years of age. The Liga giants are expected to aid the Frenchman’s bid to land a prestigious Golden Ball.

Brazilian icon Ronaldinho, who won that prize himself in 2005 after leaving PSG for Barcelona, expects Mbappe to be recognised as the best player on the planet in the not too distant future.

Ronaldinho told L’Equipe: “He is of course one of the players I like a lot. He is a great friend. He is also someone I respect for everything he does in life. I am very happy that he came to the Spanish Championship.

“We have a bit of the same trajectory after Paris... except the club! But he is also in a historic club which should allow him to flourish and achieve the important things that he is missing.”

Mbappe has hit 33 goals through his debut campaign with Real, having overcome a slow start to deliver on expectations. He has already won two trophies with the Blancos and is hoping to claim La Liga and Champions League crowns before the 2024-25 season comes to a close.