Lionel Messi was called “the best in history” by Kylian Mbappe, who said he “deserved” to win the 2023 Ballon d’Or for his great play with Argentina in the World Cup.

The Argentine great won his record-setting eighth Ballon d’Or two weeks ago in Paris, after leading his country to the top spot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. A lot of people aren’t sure why Messi got the prestigious individual award instead of Erling Haaland, who was hitting goals at Manchester City at an incredible rate and helped them win a historic treble. But Mbappe backed Messi and said that winning a World Cup is what matters, not what Haaland did with City.

“As I said, I am not someone who is afraid,” Mbappe told the press before the game. I don’t mind; the rating is what it is. Messi should get it. He has to win the Ballon d’Or when he wins the World Cup. He’s probably the best player ever.

Erling Haaland had a great season, and so did I. But it doesn’t mean as much as winning the World Cup. I found out that I had lost the World Cup and the Ballon d’Or on the night of December 18. “Leo earned it.”

Italy was ahead 2-0 in the World Cup final, but Mbappe scored a hat trick and Messi scored twice to bring France back to even. Emiliano Martinez’s heroics in the spot shootout, on the other hand, broke French hearts and kept Mbappe from winning two straight world titles.

Messi is someone Mbappe really looks up to, and it shows in how much he respects his work. Even though they were competing directly for major awards, it’s clear that they became close while playing for Paris Saint-Germain.

The two giants are both with their national teams right now. Mbappe will play against Gibraltar on Friday in a Euro 2024 qualifier. Messi, on the other hand, will play against Argentina on Tuesday in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.