'Best player in world' - PSG chief shares Ballon d'Or verdict amid Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland battle

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelafi has said that he believes Kylian Mbappe should win the Ballon d’Or over Erling Haaland this year.

The Manchester City striker is among the favourites to win the 2023 award following a stunning debut campaign under Pep Guardiola. A record-breaking 52 goals helped City secure a historic treble as they lifted the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup and crown Haaland, in most people’s eyes, as the best striker in the world.

An impressive start to 2023-24 has resulted in Haaland continuing his ruthless streak, bagging eight from eight games. However, fighting him for the Ballon d’Or are two of the most revered players on the planet.

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Lionel Messi, while now playing in the MLS, is the bookmakers’ favourite due to his heroics at the World Cup last year. The former Barcelona superstar settled the career-long debate with Cristiano Ronaldo by dragging Argentina to glory in Qatar.

Messi scored twice in the final but his counterpart and, at the time, club teammate, was also the star of the show. Mbappe became the second player ever to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final last December.

That did not prove enough to win the game but, include his 41 goals for PSG across all competitions, and you have another Ballon d’Or contender. Parisian chief Al-Khelafi has backed Mbappe to win the award next month.

“Kylian is part of the family,” he told RMC Sport. “The problems we have had remain in the family, and Kylian is part of the family. I am proud of what he is doing and of what the whole