Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount has given his thoughts after being shortlisted for the 2021 Ballon d'Or, and given a similar reaction to a young Cristiano Ronaldo following the Portuguese star's first nomination.
Mount was integral as the Blues won the Champions League, setting up Kai Havertz to score the winner against Manchester City back in May, while continuing to impress on an international level with England.
Chelsea team-mates N'Golo Kante, Jorginho, Romelu Lukaku and Cesar Azpilicueta were also among the 30 names picked for the initial list.
Speaking while on international duty with England, Mount has told of the pride he felt at being nominated alongside the likes of Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but also insisted that this was just the beginning.
"It was special," he told reporters ahead of England's clash with Hungary.
"To see that and be alongside them names, it's obviously a dream. For all the years that you work hard and dedicate, to see something like that it shows that everything pays off and it's just the start. It doesn't stop now."
Mount did laugh off the possibility of actually winning the award, however.
"I doubt it, but you never know," he said after being asked if he fancied his chances.
"The most important thing for me is that I keep trying to hit the levels that I've set before and go even further. That's always been my mentality and hopefully that continues."
It is the sort of mentality displayed by five-time winner of the award, Cristiano Ronaldo, after his first nomination 14 years ago.
Following an excellent season with Manchester United, Ronaldo was nominated alongside Lionel Messi and eventual winner Kaka for the prize and, like Mount, spoke of how he is continuing to work towards his goals and keep improving.
"I'm proud to be here, alongside two incredible players," Ronaldo told FIFA.com back in 2007.
"I'm working hard, focusing on my goals, and I've got some great team-mates around me. I'm heading in the right direction, I've got off to a good start to the season, scored some important goals and the team is looking good both in the league and in the Champions League so how could I not be happy."
While Mount may not win this year's trophy, Ronaldo did not win in 2007, but has gone on to claim five of the awards.
