According to French coach Didier Deschamps, Cristiano Ronaldo and 24-year-old striker Kylian Mbappe are on par with Lionel Messi - the star who just set a record of winning eight Ballon d'Ors.
Messi has not been a standout performer at club level, but won the 2023 Ballon d'Or thanks to his outstanding performances at international level. He scored seven goals, including a brace in the final against France, helping Argentina win the 2022 World Cup. Messi was also awarded the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball - the award for the best player of the tournament in Qatar 2022, and has won the best player award five times.
Messi has won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards, in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023. He also became the first player to win the Ballon d'Or while playing for a club outside of Europe. In the summer of 2023, the Argentine star joined Inter Miami on a free transfer, contributing 11 goals and five assists in 13 matches, helping the club win the Leagues Cup but failing to qualify for the MLS championship play-offs.
However, French football legend Didier Deschamps believes that winning the 2022 World Cup and holding the record of eight Ballon d'Ors does not make Messi the greatest player in history. According to the current coach of the French team, Cristiano Ronaldo and 24-year-old striker Kylian Mbappe are on par with the Argentine star.
"Argentine fans say Messi is the best player of all time. Messi is the greatest, but it's hard to say Messi is better than Ronaldo or Mbappe, who is younger," Deschamps told ESPN Deportes on October 31.
Deschamps encouraged Messi after his France team beat Messi's Argentina 4-3 in the round of 16 of the 2018 World Cup. Photo: AFP
Haaland is the strongest candidate to compete with Messi for the 2023 Ballon d'Or after an explosive season with Man City. The Norwegian striker scored 52 goals in 53 matches in all competitions, helping Man City win a historic treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
However, that was only enough to help Haaland finish second in the 2023 Ballon d'Or race. Mbappe finished third after a successful season, contributing 54 goals and 13 assists in 56 matches for both club and country. He also excelled at the 2022 World Cup, winning the Golden Boot with eight goals, including a hat-trick in the final.
Ronaldo was not nominated for the 2023 Ballon d'Or, after a forgettable World Cup with only one goal. The Portuguese striker is also no longer playing in Europe, having moved to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia on a free transfer from January 2023.
Before attending the 2023 Ballon d'Or Gala at the Chatelet Theater in Paris on the evening of October 30, Deschamps also predicted that Messi would win the award because of his success at the World Cup. "Messi deserves the Ballon d'Or this year, and he will most likely win it. He had a great World Cup, winning the tournament with Argentina," said the French coach.
Hong Duy
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