Following Lionel Messi’s spectacular performance at the 2022 World Cup and his expected Ballon d’Or win, Adrien Rabiot, who faced Messi in the final as part of the French national team, has voiced his belief that the prestigious award should go to either compatriot Kylian Mbappé or Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.

Although Messi led Argentina to a World Cup victory after 36 years, Rabiot is convinced that Mbappé and Haaland are the more deserving winners, emphasizing the importance of considering their sporting achievements. As Rabiot sees it, the decision between the two talented players is a difficult one and may vary based on the criteria chosen.

The relationship between Mbappé and Messi goes beyond national teams, as they were former teammates at Paris Saint-Germain. They clinched the Ligue 1 title together but couldn’t achieve the same success in European competitions, with Mbappé being hindered by an untimely injury just before PSG’s round-of-16 defeat to Bayern Munich. However, their individual performance in the last World Cup showcased their football prowess, with Mbappé securing the Golden Boot and Messi receiving the Golden Ball.

In contrast, Erling Haaland, after transferring to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund, delivered an electrifying scoring spree in the Premier League, setting a record for the most goals in a single season. His 52 goals in 53 games across all competitions contributed to Manchester City’s Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup victories.

The 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony is fast approaching, and it seems highly likely that the award will be claimed by either Messi, Mbappé, or Haaland. The ceremony is scheduled for October 30, 2023, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.