'One of the best players I’ve ever seen' - Kylian Mbappe backed to win Ballon d'Or 'several' times as Luka Modric says Real Madrid team-mate can 'do things that have never been seen before'

Mbappe signed for Madrid last summer and has scored 31 goals in 46 appearances, including a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League play-off round. He has never won the Ballon d'Or, but Modric believes that will soon change.

Winning the greatest individual honour in football was one of Mbappe's ambitions when he ran down his Paris Saint-Germain contract and switched to Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo scooped the prize five teams while playing for Los Blancos and Karim Benzema won it in 2022.

Modric said: "He’s one of the best players in the world. He has the ability to do things that have never been seen before. What has impressed me most about Mbappe is his personality, his way of being. He’s an incredible kid, very humble, always willing to joke around and help his team-mates. He’s very calm. From the outside, you might say he hasn’t had his best season, but he’s scored over 30 goals. Imagine if it was his best season! He’s one of the best players I’ve ever seen. I’m sure he’ll be one of the favourites to win not just one Ballon d’Or, but several."

Mbappe is aiming to lead Madrid to a treble, with their La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League hopes still alive. They are next in action against Leganes in La Liga on Saturday.