Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has admitted that his former teammate Lionel Messi deserved to win this year’s Ballon d’Or award.

Messi won the prize for a record-extending eighth time last month.

The Argentina captain finished first in the voting, ahead of Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Mbappe.

Mbappe has now said Messi was a deserving winner.

“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.

“Haaland had a great season, me too, but next to winning the World Cup, it doesn’t weigh much. Leo deserved it,” he said.