*Cole Palmer Names Kylian Mbappe as Best Player in the World Ahead of Ballon d'Or Awards*
Chelsea star Cole Palmer has revealed his pick for the world's best player, choosing Kylian Mbappe ahead of the Ballon d'Or ceremony. Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid from PSG, is a contender for the prestigious award.
*Palmer's Praise for Mbappe*
In an interview with NBC Sports, Palmer initially hesitated between Vinicius Junior and Mbappe but ultimately chose the French forward. Palmer also participated in a "head-to-head" challenge, where he picked Mbappe over other top players, including Lionel Messi in the semi-finals. However, Messi ultimately won the hypothetical matchup.
*Ballon d'Or Contenders*
The Ballon d'Or winner will be announced on Tuesday, with Palmer among the 25 contenders. Other notable nominees include:
- England stars Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Declan Rice
- Manchester City pair Erling Haaland and Ruben Dias
- Arsenal duo William Saliba and Martin Odegaard
- Bayern Munich's Harry Kane
*Favourites to Win*
Vinicius Junior is the heavy favourite to scoop the award, with Bellingham and Rodri potentially finishing in the top three. Mbappe's chances may be harmed by France's performance at Euro 2024 and PSG's Champions League failure during his tenure.
*Palmer's Chances*
Palmer is unlikely to win but hopes for a high finish after scoring 22 Premier League goals and providing 11 assists last season. He has already made nine goal contributions this term in eight appearances.
*Historic Absence*
Notably, neither Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo have been nominated for the Ballon d'Or since 2005.
Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid's star winger, has revealed his love for Flamengo, his Brazilian boyhood club, admitting he'd leave Los Blancos for them. With exceptional form, including a Champions League hat-trick and 8 goals in 14 appearances, Vinicius Jr. has solidified his status among the world's best. Having won the Champions League and La Liga titles, he craves international glory, leading Brazil's charge. Flamengo's pull remains strong, sparking intrigue about his future. Vinicius Jr.'s loyalty to Real Madrid is unwavering, but his affection for Flamengo presents an intriguing possibility, making his journey captivating to follow.
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