Shortly after being named France's player of the year for the 2023/24 season last week, Kylian Mbappe insisted Arsenal centre-back William Saliba would be another worthy winner.

Mbappe won the prestigious gong - the fourth of his career - thanks to a prolific final season at Paris Saint-Germain. The France captain may not have shown his best form Euro 2024where a broken nose hampered his performance as Les Bleus reached the semi-finals, but he scored a continental record 44 goals last term.

The joint winner of the Gerd Muller Trophy at this year's Ballon d'Or ceremony he also broke into FIFPro World XIan elite group voted for by more than 21,000 professional footballers.

The French player of the year is decided by former winners of the award. As champion in 2018, 2019 and last season, Mbappe could have voted for himself, but he ranked Saliba above any other compatriot. Many voters agreed Arsenal the defender finished with 51 points, and his international teammate with 56.

"We have to be fair," explained Mbappe France Football. "William Saliba would also deserve this trophy."

The pair played together for France at Euro 2024, but have known each other since childhood.

Saliba joined his local side AS Bondy as a six-year-old and came under the tutelage of Wilfried Mbappe, Kylian's father. Cross he went to the same school as the future football sensation and was a regular at Mbappe's home. "He was a real coach!" Saliba said of Mbappe Sr.: "He taught me everything and if I'm here today, it's thanks to him."

Mbappe he was not the only Frenchman who considered himself lucky to have won the award. Neither N'Golo Kante nor Karim Benzema included the Real Madrid striker in the shortlist for the three. Antoine Griezmann has voted for Alexandre Lacazette, another with links to north London, ahead of his fellow World Cup winner.

Final vote for French Player of the Year 2023/24

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