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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Mbappe baffled by Rodri winning Ballon d'Or</li><li>Called the voting process unpredictable</li><li>Dembele a contender to win Golden Ball in 2025</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'What the hell are you talking about?' - Kylian Mbappe baffled by Rodri beating Vinicius Junior to Ballon d'Or as he plays down Ousmane Dembele's chances of winning 2025 prize

<p>In October 2024, Manchester City and Spain midfielder <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/ballon-dor-2024-power-rankings/blt64e16da6b8170bb7#cse5e8ccca3c892c1d" target="_blank">Rodri won the prestigious Ballon d'Or</a>, beating Vinicius Junior in the race. The <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/unfair-cristiano-ronaldo-insists-vinicius-jr-robbed-ballon-dor-snubbed-favour-man-city-rodri/blt2fabe343d3bdf7ec" target="_blank">selection of Rodri over the Brazilian divided opinions</a> as Real Madrid boycotted the award ceremony in Paris after they found out about the results a few hours before the ceremony started.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Mbappe has now opened up about what he felt after watching his Los Blancos team-mate miss out on the Golden Ball as he called the voting process unpredictable. He also gave his opinion on whether his compatriot Dembele could win the prize this year after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/phenomenal-ousmane-dembele-mental-breakthrough-psg-barcelona-flop-permanent-spot-world-elite/blt26dc6da02ab5c24d" target="_blank">enjoying a stellar run of form for Paris Saint-Germain</a> in the 2024-25 campaign.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>When asked about Dembele's chances by <a href="https://www.leparisien.fr/sports/football/kylian-mbappe-et-lequipe-de-france-griezmann-a-decide-darreter-moi-je-vais-essayer-de-continuer-17-03-2025-4MX5Z4AYZNFCBBMJQZXLNNI6UA.php" target="_blank"><em>Le Parisien</em></a>, the 26-year-old said: "Today we don't know who's going to win the Ballon d'Or. We shouldn't rule anyone out; all the players can be awarded, maybe even a goalkeeper. The last one I thought would go to Vinicius, but in the end, it went to Rodri. If I had told you three months ago, you would have said, 'What the hell are you talking about?"</p>

WHAT KYLIAN MBAPPE SAID

<p>Mbappe will be back in action for France alongside Dembele this week as he is all set to lead Les Bleus in their two-legged Nations League quarter-final fixture against Croatia.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR KYLIAN MBAPPE?

'What the hell are you talking about?' - Kylian Mbappe baffled by Rodri beating Vinicius Junior to Ballon d'Or as he plays down Ousmane Dembele's chances of winning 2025 prize | Goal.com

Kylian Mbappe has questioned Rodri beating Vinicius Junior to the Ballon d&apos;Or, while playing down Ousmane Dembele&apos;s chances of winning the 2025 award.

&apos;What the hell are you talking about?&apos; - Kylian Mbappe baffled by Rodri beating Vinicius Junior to Ballon d&apos;Or as he plays down Ousmane Dembele&apos;s chances of winning 2025 prize