Mbappe was crowned the World Cup's all-time leading scorer this summer, taking his tournament tally to 22 goals after netting 10 times in eight matches, a record that took the title from Lionel Messi.
It is that achievement, more than anything else, that the Real Madrid forward believes should earn him his first Ballon d'Or when the award is handed out on 26 October.
"Nobody had a better season than me. We've talked about the achievements, about scoring so many goals in important competitions, where all the great players are, and of course at the World Cup, the most important event. Being the tournament's all-time top scorer," Mbappe told L'Equipe.
"Thinking that, at 27, I'm already the player who has scored the most goals there. It's amazing, because you're taking the record away from Leo Messi, who for a lot of people is the best player in history alongside Cristiano."
The Frenchman scored 58 goals in 60 appearances last season, though Real Madrid finished without a major trophy. Asked whether that lack of team success undermined his case, Mbappe insisted individual brilliance should be judged on its own terms.
"Football is a team sport. But it's an individual trophy. And my idea of the Ballon d'Or is from the era of Messi and Ronaldo. It's never given to ordinary players, only to different ones. And I think I've done different things this year. That's why I believe I can win it," he said.
Mbappe also addressed criticism of his defensive contribution, insisting scrutiny simply comes with being one of the sport's leading forwards.
"It's not normal, but it's the life of someone who's at the elite level. Everyone has known for years what I can do. So people no longer look at what I do, but at what I don't do. It's human. I don't take it personally," he said. "A player who scores will never be a problem within a team. This has more to do with football sensitivity than anything else."
On the whistles he has received from Real Madrid's own supporters at points this season, Mbappe struck a measured tone.
"These are things that happen. Do you know how many players have been whistled at in Madrid? They're all still alive, aren't they? When you sign for them, you know what you're getting into. It didn't affect me too much. I understand that the public expresses its discontent," he said.
Asked about head coach Jose Mourinho, Mbappe said he was clear about what he wanted from the relationship.
"Simply that he plays me. After that, I think I can adapt to the rest. I don't have any particular expectations. Just being himself is completely enough," he said, adding that he found Mourinho's intelligence immediately striking during their early interactions.
Mbappe also praised a new generation of talent coming through, singling out Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, Chelsea's Estevao and Real Madrid teammate Arda Guler, while insisting his own hunger to keep improving as he approaches 30 remains undiminished.