"Lionel Messi had to win the Balloon d'Or, He's the greatest" — Kylian Mpappé.

 In a recent interview, French footballer Kylian Mbappé expressed his admiration for Lionel Messi, stating that "Lionel Messi had to win the Ballon d'Or." 

Mbappé acknowledged that Messi had a great season, but emphasized that the Argentine player's success in the World Cup made him the rightful recipient of the Ballon d'Or. 

"Erling Haaland had a great season, as did I," Mbappé said, "but next to winning a World Cup, it doesn't weigh much." 

Mbappé also conceded that he knew he had lost the World Cup and the Ballon d'Or

The PSG player said: “Lionel Messi had to win the Ballon d’Or, he won the World Cup, he’s one of the greatest in history, if not the greatest for me...Erling Haaland had a great season, me too, but next to winning a World Cup it doesn't weigh much. On the night of 18th December I knew that I had lost the World Cup and the Ballon d’Or too. Leo deserved it.”