With the Ballon d'Or ceremony approaching on October 26, Mbappé, the star of the French national team and Real Madrid, reflected on his past season and more than a decade of extraordinary career, including experiences on and off the pitch, in an exclusive interview with France Football. This article is the first part of that interview.

You've been a professional footballer for over a decade. Do you like who you are now, what kind of player have you ultimately become?

I've gone through several different phases now. I've changed positions, experienced different systems, and my way of playing has evolved. I love this growth because it shows that great players can always adapt to their era.

Have we already seen Mbappé at his peak?

That's a difficult question to answer. If I say "yes" and then this season I'm stronger than ever, I'd be lying. If I say "no" and I end up worse than before... ultimately, the pitch always decides. Some may prefer a certain version of me, and I may prefer another version.

Which version do you prefer?

My playing career has gone through several different stages. I've played as a winger cutting in from the wing, an inside forward, a striker, and a more versatile forward. At Paris, I played more directly and more unpredictably. Back then, I was very strong at what I did best, which made me a unique player.

Now I have a better understanding of tactical systems, different situations within the game, and how matches unfold. What truly allows you to extend your career is your brain. One day your legs will start to decline, but understanding the game is something you must always prioritize.

So you're more versatile now, but not as unique as before?

I'm still a unique player. It's just that before, I only played one way and confined myself to that scope, because I knew it was enough.

Now I have many more different weapons. Whether in a single match or throughout a season, you might see a different version of me, with successes and failures, but this is the growth I've always aspired to.

Can a footballer approaching 30 still continue to develop?

Yes, you can keep developing throughout your career. It's also about wisdom—you have to be aware that football, a sport that's constantly changing, also keeps evolving. Modern football is very tactical, very intense, and coaches have far greater control over their teams than ever before. You have to adapt, because football doesn't wait for anyone.

Was Ronaldo an inspiration to you growing up?

Not just him. Cristiano was my idol when I was young. As a forward, you draw inspiration from many players. I try to learn from what they do better than me.

Does Kylian Mbappé also seek inspiration from other players, or should you be the inspiration for others?

Both. I inspire many players, and many players have inspired me. Sometimes even players I consider not as strong as me can inspire me. Because they might have something special in an area where I'm not strong enough.

True wisdom is about learning from these experiences, covering your weaknesses as much as possible, and keeping yourself at the highest level for as long as possible.

Which players of this generation interest you?

I don't really want to name names, because if I miss someone... If I had to pick the 10 to 15 best players in the world, I think everyone's opinions would be fairly similar.

As for young players? Lamine Yamal has everything needed. I also really like Estêvão—he has a special creativity.

At Real Madrid, Arda Güler could reach a very high level. Endrick has huge potential; he's a goalscorer. Warren Zaïre-Emery and Aurélien Tchouaméni—actually, I mean Désiré Doué—they're all destined to have extraordinary careers.

In the past decade, has any player ever made you feel intimidated?

When your goal is to pursue excellence, you can't afford to be intimidated. I've always wanted to play against the best players, because every time I step on the pitch, I tell myself with confidence: there's no one better than me.

You're the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history with 22 goals, the all-time leading goalscorer for the French national team with 66 goals, for Paris Saint-Germain with 256 goals, and you won the 2018 World Cup... Of all these achievements, what are you most proud of?

If we only look at the short term, then of course it's the trophies, because trophies are what ultimately remain in people's collective memory. But for someone like me who has experienced all this directly and very intensely, I would choose the journey itself.

Because I always knew where I wanted to go and how to get there. Even during difficult times, I always held to my direction.

In ten years, you've become the most famous Frenchman in the world. Do you feel more pride or is it a heavy burden?

There are many different feelings. It depends on what stage of life you're in, your mood at that moment, and who you are at that time. You can't reject the love people give you. When you become the most famous Frenchman, it means there are still many people supporting you and cheering you on. That's a privilege, although sometimes this attention can feel heavy, even suffocating. But it's my responsibility, and I accept it fully.

Everything you do on and off the pitch is scrutinized, analyzed, and sometimes criticized. How do you handle all of this?

There's a lot of criticism. My stance on criticism is clear. There's constructive criticism, and there's criticism that's rather foolish. I have no problem with that. When I have to make a decision, I'm not afraid because of these things. If I know a decision is right for me, then I move forward. My past experience has proven this.

As you get older, do you also accept that you're destined to be a controversial figure?

I don't think "controversial" is the right word. The higher you stand, the less likely everyone will agree with you. Simply put, the chances that people won't like you also increase.

If I really wanted everyone to like me, I would never leave my house. As time goes on and you get older and gain more experience, these things affect you less and less.

I've learned to accept that some people disagree with my opinions or values.

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