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Kylian Mbappe is not concerned by either the Golden Ball or the Golden Boot at Qatar 2022, targeting only a second World Cup win with France.
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar is a leading contender for the award given to the tournament’s best player and the prize that goes to its leading scorer.
Mbappe scored twice in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Poland to send France through to the quarter-finals and open up a lead in the Golden Boot race, having now netted five – two ahead of his nearest rival.
But the forward’s sole focus was on a positive result for France, rather than worrying about any individual honours at the end of the World Cup.
“To be honest, no,” Mbappe said, when asked if he was aiming to win the Golden Ball. “The only objective for me is to win the World Cup. Now to win the next game, the quarter-final is the most important thing.
“That’s what I dream. The only thing I dream is to win the World Cup. I didn’t dream to win the Golden Ball or the Golden Boot.
“If I get it, I will take it, but that’s not why I’m here. I’m here to win and to help the French national team.”
Mbappe was meeting the media for the first time at this tournament, and he explained this was a deliberate decision to ensure he was in the best possible shape to lead France to glory.
“I wanted to take the floor because people have been asking about why I haven’t appeared before the media,” he said. “It was nothing personal; I just needed to focus on the tournament, on my football.
“When I want to concentrate, that’s how I function. That’s why I didn’t speak to you before now.
“I was told I would be fined, but I wanted to pay the fine myself. The federation shouldn’t pay the fine.
“This is the competition of my dreams. I am delighted to be here. I have been preparing for this tournament throughout the season, both physically and mentally. I wanted to be ready for this tournament, and I am.
“It has been good so far, but we’re a long way from the objective, which is to win the final.”