Mbappe desperate for first Ballon d'Or win, names Benzema and Mane as main rivals

Kylian Mbappe claimed it was a 'big lie' to say players don't care about winning the Ballon d'Or as he named Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane as his main rivals for the award this time around year.

Mbappe was named to a shortlist of 30 men to be named the best player in the world on Friday, after scoring 39 goals in all competitions as Paris Saint-Germain won the Ligue 1 title last season .

No player in Europe's top five leagues has equaled Mbappe's tally of 60 contributions in the 2021-22 campaign, although France team-mate Benzema is the clear favorite after helping Real Madrid lift the trophies Champions League and La Liga.

In an interview with France Football, Mbappe, who once backed Benzema to win the award, admitted he was desperate to be named the best in the world.

"I always wanted to do it early, without limiting my dreams. I want to win it and I don't mind admitting it," he said.

"I'm sure raising the first one is the most complicated. Once you have officially entered this selected group, it will be easier to revalidate.

"It's a big lie that a footballer is not interested in the Ballon d'Or. It's hypocritical to say that.