Konaté: Mbappé deserved the Ballon d'Or, and I expect him to win it next year

Frenchman Ibrahima Konaté, defender for Real Madrid, spoke about his compatriot Kylian Mbappé missing out on the Ballon d'Or, expressing his sadness that the Real Madrid star did not win the award, despite believing he deserved to.

Konaté said during his time at the national team camp: "Not winning the Ballon d'Or, despite deserving it, is tough. But the next day he was present in training, showing a great desire to keep working."

Liverpool defender expressed hope for Kylian Mbappé to have another chance to compete for the award: "I hope he is there next year too, so he can lift the Ballon d'Or this time."

French star Kylian Mbappé lost the Ballon d'Or to English star Harry Kane of Bayern Munich, who was awarded the prize presented by France Football.