Mbappe Reveals His Favourite For Ballon D

By Max Wise

Lionel Messi’s inability to win the Champions League this season will not serve as a hindrance to him winning the Ballon d’or, according to Paris Saint Germain forward Kylian Mbappe.

Messi has had another outstanding season for Barcelona but after starring in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Liverpool at the Camp Nou, the Argentine was powerless in preventing the English from overhauling the deficit in the second leg to advance to the final.

Messi has however helped Barcelona to retain the Spanish league title and reach the final of the Copa del Rey where they will face Valencia on May 25.

The five-time Ballon d’or winner has also scored half-a-century of goals across all competitions in just 48 appearances.

Mbappe, who was awarded the Ligue 1 Player of the year on Sunday, was asked by reporters who he thinks deserves to win this year’s Ballon d’or.

Messi,' replied Mbappe immediately. 'Despite the elimination, it does not change anything.

'He is the number one.

'He has shown he was the best player this year. This year will take us up to December but I'm not worried about him.'

In addition to his award on Sunday, Mbappe has followed his World Cup heroics for France by emerging as the top scorer in Ligue 1, scoring 32 goals in just 28 appearances.

Mbappe will most likely be in contention for this year’s Ballon d’or award, with Messi’s long-time nemesis, Cristiano Ronaldo, also in with a shout of taking home the award for a sixth time.