Is Lionel Messi the GOAT in soccer? Or is it Cristiano Ronaldo? This debate has embroiled fans and pundits ever since the duo set off on a Ballon d’Or collision course. However, a recent statement from PSG sensation Kylian Mbappe’s former teammate seems to have split the community into two factions. 

The $42 million French soccer star currently enjoying his stint at Ronaldo’s former club – Juventus. He spent most of his career at Mbappe’s Paris Saint-Germain – and shared the pitch with Mbappe during their domestic treble win in the 2017-18 season. Recently, he has made some intriguing remarks when asked about his take on his favorite for the next Ballon d’Or. Let’s hear it from the French star himself.

Kylian Mbappe’s former teammate snubs Lionel Messi in Ballon d’Or debate

We’re talking about Adrien Rabiot. His bold declaration about the Ballon d’Or has sent shockwaves through the soccer community. When asked about his thoughts on whether Lionel Messi would once again secure the prestigious award, he did not mince his words. He directly snubbed Messi, the celebrated Inter Miami soccer star, and instead lavished praise upon his fellow Team France partner, Kylian Mbappe.

Rabiot declared, “I hear a lot that Messi is going to get it. But on a sporting level, it will be played between Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. Saying one of them would be complicated; it depends on what you base it on. Not everyone ever agrees, but it will be between these two.”

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Here’s the tweet that brought Rabiot’s words to the spotlight:

His opinion is nothing short of extraordinary – especially considering Messi’s long-standing reputation as one of the greatest soccer players of all time. What’s more – Rabiot’s words force us to rethink the dynamics of the Ballon d’Or race.

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While many blindly assume that Messi, the mercurial magician, is the frontrunner, Rabiot’s perspective challenges this narrative. He suggests that the competition for the Ballon d’Or in the upcoming year will be primarily between two rising prodigies: Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

Is Kylian Mbappe truly a challenge to Lionel Messi for the next Ballon d’Or?

However, a recent statistic has cast a shadow on Kylian Mbappe’s reputation among fans. The PSG forward has experienced a goal drought, failing to score in his last four games for the French club. This marks the longest spell he has gone without finding the back of the net for PSG since 2018. So, is there any weight to his former teammate’s claim?

If we keep this aside for a moment, there’s another exceptional feat where Mbappe stands tall among soccer legends. Kylian Mbappe has dominated the charts for goals and assists over the past five years, surpassing even the likes of Messi and Ronaldo.

As the statistics reveal, Mbappe boasts 231 goals and 88 assists in just 274 games. He is seconded by Barcelona’s striker, Robert Lewandowski, with 258 goals and 59 assists in 283 games. Messi takes the third spot with 295 goals and assists, having scored 191 goals and provided 104 assists in 264 games. In stark contrast, Ronaldo, currently with Al Nassr, ranks a distant 8th with 166 goals and only 29 assists in 235 matches, trailing far behind the top three, particularly in the assist category.

However, the 2023/24 season has presented some challenges for Mbappe. Notably, the PSG forward recently expressed his frustration with the media for labeling him as ‘arrogant’ in a recent interview ahead of the Parisian club’s match against Rennes in Ligue 1. Nevertheless, the race for the Ballon d’Or continues to captivate fans worldwide. What do you think? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

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