Italian professional goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon believes his teammates at Paris-Saint-Germain Kylian Mbappe deserves to win the 2018 Ballon d'Or.
The Frenchman is among the football stars shortlisted for the annual award, and he is expected to face competition from Lionel Messi and Ronaldo who have won the awards five times each.
Kylian Mbappe, 19, was among the French stars that won the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia beating Croatia in the final, and Buffon says he deserves to win the Ballon d'Or.
''Given his qualities, what he shows on the field, and how decisive he was during the World Cup, he deserves it, yes. I cannot say the opposite.
''Kylain Mbappe has an exceptional talent and technical qualities as I have rarely seen. It's a phenomenon.
''If he persists in wanting to be the best, if he remains enthusiastic and keeps his normal behavior, he can last a very long time,'' Buffon said while appearing on French TV show Tout le Sport according to Dailymail.
Meanwhile, Luka Modric is considered one of the favorites to take this year's prize having already swept up at FIFA's 'The Best' awards last month.
Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo is the current holder of the Ballon d'Or, and he is also in contention for this year's award.
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