Lionel Messi grabs Ballon d’Or ahead of Erling Halaand, Kylian Mbappe, shares encouraging message

Lionel Messi shared a message for Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe after winning his record eighth Ballon d’Or.

The Argentine superstar, who helped his nation win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, was awarded the Ballon d’Or for a record eighth time in his career in Paris on Monday.

After bagging the Golden Ball once again, Messi shared a message for his competitors Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe as he tipped the duo to go on and win the prestigious award one day. He went on to add that the Norwegian could have won the award this year after a very successful maiden campaign with Manchester City.

“Haaland and Mbappe will win the Ballon d’Or one day,” he said in his acceptance speech. “Erling deserved it very much too, he has won the Premier League, and Champions League while being the top scorer of everything. This award could have been yours today too. I’m sure in the next years you will win it.”

Haaland scored a ridiculous 52 goals during the 2022/23 season for the Cityzens helping them win the treble for the first time in the club’s history. He was the top scorer in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

Mbappe, who finished third on the podium, also enjoyed outstanding season in front of goal as he netted 55 times for club and country in the last campaign. He won the World Cup Golden Boot and lifted the Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi’s trump card was his stunning form at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar – a tournament for which Haaland’s Norway did not qualify.

Messi scored seven goals and provided three assists at Qatar 2022 as he led Argentina to a first World Cup title since 1978.

Argentina captain Messi left PSG in June and then joined Inter Miami on a free transfer in July.

He is therefore the first player based in the USA ever to win a Ballon d’Or – although his 2023 award was earned by his performances before he moved to Miami.

Kylian Mbappe came third in the 2023 vote, ahead of Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri in fourth and fifth respectively.