France and PSG forward Kylian Mbappe can contend for the Ballon d’Or if he maintains his fine form, says two-time African Footballer of the Year Didier Drogba.
The 19-year-old is one of the top performers at the 2018 Fifa World Cup with three goals in six appearances which has helped his country to the final of the event.
The youngster scored twice to dump Lionel Messi's Argentina out of the global tournament in the round of 16; a feat that made him the first teenager to net a brace in a World Cup since Pele in 1958.
While noting his performance that helped PSG win a domestic treble [Ligue 1, Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue] last season and his display at the tournament, Drogba who met Mbappe at the Elysee Palace in a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron and President George Weah in February, believes the pacy forward can win the prestigious individual honour ahead in the future.
"He's a kid that I know. I've seen him play the last few years and I know the people who helped him to be the player he is now," Drogba was quoted as saying by SkySports.
"I'm very happy for him. And if he continues like this, why not? Why not win the Ballon d'Or? I had the chance to meet him and we had an important meeting with a lot of influential people in France, with the president Mr Macron.
"We were exchanging ideas and when he started speaking I can tell you that the kid is 19-years-old but he's not a kid. He's very mature and he's very composed when he's talking."
France face a daunting task to stop Croatia when they lock horns for the most coveted trophy at the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday.
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