At just 22-years of age and in just three seasons, Chelsea and England player Mason Mount has become one of British football's most exciting talents with his meteoric rise having been compared to those of his former coach Frank Lampard and David Beckham.
Having joined Chelsea Football Club's academy at six years old, he was instrumental in the London side's triumphant Champions League win earlier this year, which in turn saw him scoop the club's ‘Player of the Year’ award. Elsewhere he already has a whopping 26 caps for England under his belt, has scored an impressive four goals for the national side, and helped carry the team to the Euro 2020 final in June.
Naturally, he's up for the beautiful game's most prestigious award: the Ballon d'Or. This Monday the Portsmouth-born sportsman will go up against heavyweight footy players such as Lionel Messi (who has scooped the gong an astonishing six times), Neymar and Harry Kane at the Théâtre du Châtelet in the heart of Paris. The award is given to the player who is deemed to have played best over the course of the past year, as chosen by football journalists, coaches and team captains.
Speaking exclusively to GQ, Mount explained that he's doubtful he will be the one taking the award home, but he does hope that one day it will happen. “To be involved in something like this and to be selected to be in a category of 30 players of such standing is such a special achievement," he told us. "I set goals and I want to achieve big things, but I didn't ever think this would happen after two or three seasons. It's blown my mind."
“To see my name alongside the names I've looked up to all my life is crazy, Messi in particular," Mount continued. "When I was younger I was a ball boy during a Barcelona and Chelsea match at Stamford Bridge and seeing him up close was amazing.”
For the occasion, which will take place on Monday evening, Mount will sport black tie for the first time in his life and GQ went and got ready with him. He will be wearing a custom, black tuxedo jacket and trousers supplied by Italian luxury power brand Versace. The jacket features solid gold and pearl detailing along its satin lapels, which matches further signature Versace detailing on the sleeves and ornate rings. “I loved the little gold touches. They felt so special and the suit is perfect for the moment: Versace is made for champions. I already feel like a winner."
“I don't really get the opportunity to wear many suits," Mount explained. "I could probably count on one hand how many times I've worn a suit in my life. This is all very new to me. The pitch is my natural habitat, and now I have to work out how to do a bow tie. The Ballon d'Or presentation will be the first time I've ever worn black tie!”
If he wins, Mount revealed that there won't be much celebrating to be done: “I'm back on the pitch the next morning for training, so even if I do somehow end up winning, it won't be a big night of drinking, unfortunately."
Ballon d'Or win or not, our odds are on him being the best-dressed person in the room on Monday night.
Photographer: Aaron Crossman
Stylist: Carlotta Constant
Styling assistant: Emelia Gayner
Tailor: Joel Ryan
Marcus Rashford wore Burberry to get his MBE and we were there to witness it
