Lionel Messi: Argentine star reportedly 'wins eighth Ballon d'Or' after World Cup success
FootballKylian Mbappe Reacts After Lionel Messi Was Crowned 2023 Ballon D'Or Winner
- Kylian Mbappe has congratulated Lionel Messi after winning the Ballon d'Or
- Messi won the award for the eighth time after edging Mbappe and Erling Haaland
- The Inter Miami star led Argentina to success at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
France forward, Kylian Mbappe has sent a congratulatory message to former Paris Saint-Germain teammate, Lionel Messi, after winning the 2023 Ballon d'Or award.
The Argentina and Inter Miami star beat off competition from Mbappe and Manchester City forward, Erling Haaland, to scoop the award for the eighth time in his illustrious career.
Mbappe and Messi led PSG to Ligue 1 triumph last season, but the former Barcelona forward beat the Frenchman to the award after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
“Congratulations Leo on your award! You deserve it,” wrote Mbappe on his Instagram story after the ceremony in Paris.
Meanwhile, Messi has tipped Mbappe and Haaland for the award in the coming years, having left Europe to continue his career in the MLS.
"Haaland and Mbappé will win the Ballon d’Or one day," he said, as quoted by talkSPORT. “Erling deserved it very much too, he has won Premier League, 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."
Although Messi beat Mbappe to the World Cup trophy in Qatar, the PSG forward won the Golden Boot with eight goals.
Messi's eighth Ballon d'Or award means he has won it three more times than his closest rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi dethrones Benzema to win Ballon d'Or
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or for the eighth time in his career at a star-studded ceremony in Paris on Monday.
Rodri backs Lionel Messi to win 2023 Ballon d'Or ahead of Erling Haaland
FootballMessi, 36, succeeds Karim Benzema as the winner of the prize, awarded for his performances last season when he inspired Argentina to glory at the World Cup.
It was his displays in Qatar when Messi dragged his country to a victory that crowned his remarkable career, that allowed Messi to see off stiff competition from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in particular.