Lionel Messi names the FOUR players he thinks will win the Ballon d’Or in future… including a 16-year-old impressing at one of his former clubs

• The Argentinian and Cristiano Ronaldo’s period of dominance is set end soon
• Lionel Messi dedicates his eighth Ballon d’Or to the Argentina staff and players 
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ 

Lionel Messi has revealed who he expects to battle for the Ballon d’Or in the coming years.

For the past 15 years, the Argentinian playmaker and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the award.

The Inter Miami player set a new record by winning his eighth award last night in Paris, extending his number of trophies over his Portuguese rival. 

However, with Messi now aged 36 – it is expected that this will be his last award and it is now up to the next generation of superstars to take over. 

Asked who he thinks could be the next to win the award, Messi told L’Equipe ‘For a few years, we have seen players that can win it coming through.

Lionel Messi has tipped former PSG team-mate Kylian Mbappe as a future Ballon d’Or winner

Erling Haaland narrowly missed out on being ranked the best footballer in the world last night

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‘It could be hotly contested in the coming years with players like Haaland, Mbappé and Vinicíus Juinor. 

‘There are lots of young players that will fight for the Ballon d’Or. I also think that Lamine Yamal, who is still very young but who has already played very well with Barcelona and has become an important player [could compete]. 

‘There will certainly be others who will fight for it as well with other players yet to appear. It will be a new era.’

Former team-mate Mbappe riled up the supporters of Stade Brest during Paris Saint-Germain’s 3-2 win there on Sunday – and then doubled down on social media to defend his actions.

The French captain scored to put his side 2-0 up at Stade Francis-Le Ble, but Brest pegged them back to 2-2. Mbappe saw an 89th minute penalty saved, but was in the right place to dispatch the rebound and put PSG ahead with his 250th career club goal.

Mbappe, 24, was booked for a gesture to the crowd during his goal celebration, and was immediately substituted off in favour of Nordi Mukiele.  

Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal has received high praise from Argentinian legend Messi

Real Madrid starlet Vinicius Jr received the Socrates Award for social commitment last night

Mbappe taunted the Brest supporters, geeing them up in reaction to their own anger, and making hand gestures signalling the 3-2 scoreline in favour of PSG.

French sports journalist Bertrand Latour wrote on X: ‘A captain of the French team should not do that.’

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.

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