Kylian Mbappe backed to become ‘the next best player in the world’ despite slow start at Real Madrid as Ballon d’Or prediction made

Mbappe finally made a blockbuster move from Paris Saint-Germain to Madrid this summer but the Frenchman has not lived up to many people's expectations thus far. Despite that, ex-Barcelona attacker Rivaldo thinks the forward can thrive at Los Blancos and has been backed to be a "great candidate" for the Ballon d'Or in the future.

He told Sport: "Mbappe is having a difficult start, but I always said that he would be a successful player at Madrid, a goalscorer and an outstanding figure. He has the talent to be the next best player in the world, and he's at the best club in the world in terms of titles and history. The adaptation takes some time, but I'm sure he will be a key player and a great candidate for the Ballon d'Or in the future."

Mbappe is one of the best players in the world already but to date he has not produced performances and goalscoring feats befitting of that title at Madrid. A total of 12 goals and two assists in 22 appearances does not make for bad reading in the slightest but the 26-year-old needs to up his game to be in contention for a Ballon d'Or.

France international Mbappe will hope to be among the goals on Sunday when third-placed Madrid take on 12th-placed Sevilla in La Liga action.