Kylian Mbappe makes his feelings very clear on Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or win and finishing behind Erling Haaland

Kylian Mbappe has made a heartfelt gesture towards Lionel Messi following his historic eighth Ballon d’Or victory. Messi secured the prestigious award after a remarkable 2022/23 season, marked by his triumphs with Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 and, most notably, leading Argentina to World Cup glory, ending a 36-year drought for his nation.

The Ballon d’Or was widely expected to be Messi’s after the World Cup triumph, but it’s worth noting that the final against France, held in Qatar, could have swung either way, especially with Mbappe’s stunning hat-trick performance in a penalty shootout. Had France emerged victorious, Mbappe might have clinched his first Ballon d’Or. Nevertheless, he exhibited sportsmanship by taking to Instagram to congratulate Messi on his well-deserved accolade, writing, “Congratulations Leo for your award. You deserve it.”

Messi’s record now includes eight Ballon d’Or titles, earned in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023. While Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed the honor five times (in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017), legends like Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, and Marco van Basten have each won it three times.

This year, Messi faced strong competition from Manchester City stars Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Rodri, not to mention Mbappe. In his acceptance speech, Messi humbly shared the honor with his international teammates and acknowledged their collective efforts. He also praised the young talents in the mix, including Kylian, Erling, and Kevin, highlighting their bright futures.

Messi expressed his delight at winning the World Cup and dedicated the award to his dream achievement. He extended gratitude to his wife and paid a special tribute to Diego Maradona, noting that it was Maradona’s birthday. Overall, the evening was significant for recognizing these exceptional talents.

Additionally, Aitana Bonmati was awarded the women’s Ballon d’Or for her role in Spain’s World Cup victory, while Erling Haaland received the Gerd Muller Trophy as the best striker, acknowledging his impressive 52 goals for Manchester City in the previous season. Haaland shared his pride in his team’s achievements but also emphasized their focus on striving for further success.