French football star Kylian Mbappe has emphasized his belief that Lionel Messi deserved to win the Ballon d’Or, securing his eighth title, following Argentina’s triumph in the last winter’s World Cup in Qatar. Messi, who was named the Player of the Tournament, claimed the individual honor ahead of Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
Mbappe, who won the Golden Boot and scored a crucial hat-trick in the World Cup final, acknowledged his and Haaland’s strong seasons but asserted that Messi’s World Cup victory carried more weight. Speaking ahead of an Euro 2024 qualifier with Gibraltar, Mbappe stated, “Messi had to win it. He won the World Cup, he’s one of the greatest in history, if not the greatest for me.”
Despite Mbappe’s impressive individual achievements, including 41 goals in 43 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain last season, he expressed his recognition of Messi’s unparalleled impact on the game.
The French skipper also shared his admiration for 17-year-old PSG sensation Warren Zaire-Emery, who has emerged as a potential future Ballon d’Or contender. Mbappe praised Zaire-Emery’s maturity, personality, and fearless approach on the field, highlighting the young midfielder’s rapid development.
Mbappe concluded by expressing confidence in Zaire-Emery’s ability to learn quickly and evolve in the football world, emphasizing the importance of supporting and protecting the rising star as he continues to make strides in his career.
