Agency Report — Paul Pogba has backed N’Golo Kante to win the Ballon d’Or – but said his fellow Frenchman’s recent exploits are nothing new.
Kante was named Player of the Match in Chelsea’s win over Manchester City in the Champions League final, as well as both legs of the semi-final victory over Real Madrid.
With usual suspects Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo enduring underwhelming seasons, Kante has emerged as a contender for the top individual honour in 2021.
PSG forward Kylian Mbappe is the bookies’ favourite ahead of Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, with Kante currently in third.
Should Kante impress at Euro 2020, it would only strengthen his case for becoming the first Frenchman to win the award since Zinedine Zidane in 1998.
“What I would like to say to the whole world is that the ‘NG’ we have seen in recent months has always been the same,” Pogba said in an exclusive interview with Eurosport France’s FC Stream Team podcast.
“We talk a lot about his performances but he has always been as good as ever.
“There was no Cristiano and Messi in the semi-final, so it’s good to see the performances of the midfielders or even the defenders.
“I said a long time ago that it would be appropriate, if Chelsea won, for him to win the Ballon d’Or. It would be deserved too.
“He’s always performed well. NG, I’m not surprised what he’s doing, I’m just surprised that he’s still doing it. He has always played matches like that.”
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