Find out why Kylian Mbappe won Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or and consider Messi’s World Cup glory as the decisive factor.
French football’s young standout Kylian Mbappe has also joined in the cheers for Lionel Messi, praising him as “the best player in history” and affirming the The Argentine maestro truly deserves the 2023 Ballon d’Or. The endorsement comes after Messi won the Ballon d’Or for a historic eighth time, a feat fueled by his crucial role in Argentina’s win at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Despite Haaland’s goalscoring record in a season at Manchester City, Mbappe firmly backed Messi, stressing the importance of a World Cup win in overturning that distinction. In a candid conversation with reporters, Mbappe’s words showed respect for Messi’s unparalleled legacy: “When Messi wins the World Cup, Messi must win the Ballon d’Or. He is, if not the best player in history, One of the best players in history.”
Mbappe’s perspective is rooted in the belief that victory on football’s grandest stage, such as Messi’s brace in the World Cup final, carries unparalleled weight in the Ballon d’Or selection. The French star put in a brilliant performance as he scored a hat-trick in the final. However, Messi’s leadership led Argentina to victory, denying Mbappe consecutive global championships and Ballon d’Or honors.
Their on-court rivalry did not overshadow the mutual admiration and camaraderie between the two stars. Despite his focus on personal accolades, Mbappe’s admiration for Messi goes beyond the game. Their shared experiences at PSG created a bond rooted in mutual respect and admiration for each other’s talents.
The Ballon d’Or remains a key talking point as both Messi and Kylian Mbappe prepare for their international duties. Mbappe will feature in the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Gibraltar, while Messi is preparing to face arch-rivals Brazil in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The Ballon d’Or debate may rage on, but Kylian Mbappe’s outpouring of support for Messi’s victory highlights the importance of Messi’s World Cup heroics in winning football’s most prestigious individual award.