“It’s obvious that he’ll end up winning the Ballon d’Or” - Lionel Messi’s Argentina teammate hails Kylian Mbappe
Lionel Messi’s Argentina teammate Angel Di María has heaped praise on Kylian Mbappe, saying that the France captain is a future Ballon d’Or winner. Messi and Di María have shared the pitch for La Albiceleste for 16 years and also played together at Paris Saint-Germain for a year.
Hailing the 25-year-old former PSG star Mbappe's speed and gameplay, Di Maria said (L'Equipe via MadridXtra):
"Mbappe has extraordinary speed that can make the difference at any moment.
"Even when the game seems locked, he sees space & starts running & if you give him a good ball, he’s decisive. For me, it’s obvious that he’ll end up winning the Ballon d’Or."
In his last season (2023-2024) at the Parc des Princes, Mbappe netted 44 goals and provided 10 assists in 48 appearances while winning the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France and Trophée des Champions. The Frenchman joined Real Madrid this summer on a free transfer.
Kylian Mbappe, who made his senior debut for France in 2017, has 48 goals and 35 assists in 84 games. He has also won the 2018 FIFA World Cup and was runner-up in 2022 and the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League.
Kylian Mbappe on Lionel Messi winning the 2023 Ballon d’Or
Argentina captain Lionel Messi won his eighth Ballon d’Or award in 2023, finishing ahead of the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Vinicius Jr, Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland. The 37-year-old forward won the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Speaking about Messi winning the award in 2023, Mbappe had said (via @ESPNFC on X):
"Messi had to win it. He won the World Cup. He's one of the greatest in history, if not the greatest for me.
"Haaland had a great season, me too, but next to winning a World Cup it doesn't weigh much. On the night of the final, I knew that I had lost the World Cup and the Ballon d'Or too. Leo deserved it."
Lionel Messi and Mbappe played together at PSG for two seasons before Messi moved to MLS side Inter Miami last summer.