Neither Lamine Yamal nor Dembélé: Sergio Ramos explains who he would give the Ballon d'Or to

The Club World Cup has already kicked off, and the matches being played in the United States have the entire globe focused on the world's leading power, at least in the free world. FIFA's "new" competition, which debuts a new format, brings together a total of 32 clubs, including Mexican side Monterrey, where Sergio Ramos plays.

The defender from Camas, who turned 39 last March, is still playing soccer as if nothing has changed. In the press conference he gave this Monday ahead of Rayados's debut in the World Cup against Inter Milan (Wednesday, 3 a.m. Spanish time), he wanted to make it clear how he's feeling.  "I feel good, saddened not to make it to the Clausura. I'm going through a good moment to reach a good level for this tournament," Ramos said.

Ramos, who spoke about the possibility of facing Real Madrid in the World Cup, explained that he would rather that not happen and, if it does, that it be in the final next July 13. "I'd prefer it against Atlético. The final is still far away, but, as you said, facing Real Madrid, with everything it has meant and will mean to me, obviously I'd rather it face someone else. If we have to face each other, let it be in the final. Because of the competition and how things are shaping up, it would be a quarterfinal clash, but we'll see," the center-back stated.

Ramos, who has a tough group stage against Inter Milan, River Plate, and Urawa Red Diamonds, also commented on Xabi Alonso's signing as coach of his former team. "He'll be an interesting addition who'll help a lot in this new stage," he said about the man from Tolosa, with whom he shared a locker room at Chamartín between 2009 and 2014.

Ballon d'Or for Mbappé

Likewise, Ramos addressed the topic of the Ballon d'Or and the candidates for the award given by "France Football", which will present the prize in Paris next September 22. The former Sevilla and PSG footballer had no doubts and placed Kylian Mbappé as the main favorite ahead of other candidates, such as Lamine Yamal, who is being promoted in Spain to win a Ballon d'Or that last year was "stolen" from Vinícius.

"For me, it's clear. Mbappé should win it. He's won the Pichichi, the Golden Boot, although it's true that Madrid didn't win other titles that other teams did. These are individual awards, but there are players who've won leagues, cups..." said Sergio Ramos, who shared a locker room with Kylian for two years at the Parc des Princes.

"If it were up to me, I think Kylian, five or ten years from now, will have the peace of mind of having four or five Ballon d'Ors at home. I'd even say he could have more; he has plenty of talent and I think he's shown it," added Ramos, who didn't hesitate to heap praise on the white number 9. "He's a player who has everything to dominate soccer. Speed, technique, mentality... he's ready to be the best in the world many times," the defender emphasized.