Mbappe: Messi’s World Cup Win Sealed His Ballon d’Or Victory
Kylian Mbappe has revealed that he knew Lionel Messi had secured the 2022 Ballon d’Or the moment the Argentine legend’s team claimed World Cup glory in Qatar. The Real Madrid striker acknowledged that winning football’s most prestigious individual award depends heavily on collective success, particularly at the international level.
“As soon as the World Cup final in 2022 ended, I knew Messi has won the Ballon d’Or,” Mbappe stated. “I had a great season, just like Haaland, but when you win the World Cup it makes the difference.”
The Thrilling Qatar Final
The 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France delivered one of football’s most dramatic encounters. Argentina and France played out a spectacular 3-3 draw after extra time, with the match ultimately decided by penalties. Messi netted twice for Argentina, while Di Maria added a crucial third goal. Mbappe responded with an impressive hat-trick for France, showcasing his brilliance despite the loss.
Argentina’s Path to Glory
Messi’s tournament performance was instrumental throughout Argentina’s campaign. After an unexpected 1-2 opening defeat to Saudi Arabia, Argentina recovered dramatically, securing victories over Mexico and Poland. They progressed through knockout rounds with commanding performances, defeating Australia 2-1, the Netherlands 4-3 in a thrilling quarterfinal, and Croatia 3-0 in the semifinal before claiming their third World Cup title.
France will seek redemption at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, marking head coach Didier Deschamps’ final tournament stint.