Lionel Messi supports Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. in the fight for the Ballon d’Or crown

Lionel Messi has revealed who is likely to fight for the Ballon d’Or in the coming years.

Over the past 15 years, the Argentine playmaker and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the award.

The Inter Miami player set a new record in Paris last night by winning his eighth award, increasing his trophy tally over his Portuguese rival.

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

When asked who he thinks could be the next winner of the award, Messi said L’Equipe “For a few years we have seen players who can win.

Lionel Messi has named his former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe as a future Ballon d’Or winner

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

“In the coming years it could be hotly contested with players like Haaland, Mbappé and Vinicíus Juinor.

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

“There will certainly be others who will fight for it, while other players will still emerge. “It will be a new era.”

Former teammate Mbappe sent fans into an uproar during Paris Saint-Germain’s 3-2 win at Stade Brest on Sunday – and then defended his actions again on social media.

The French captain scored to give his side a 2-0 lead at the Stade Francis-Le Blé, but Brest increased the score to 2-2. Mbappe saved a penalty in the 89th minute but was in the right place to save the rebound and put PSG ahead with his 250th career club goal.

Mbappe, 24, was cautioned for making a gesture to the crowd during his goal celebration and was immediately substituted by Nordi Mukiele.

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

Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. received the Socrates Prize for his social commitment last night

Mbappe taunted the Brest fans, rousing them in response to their own anger, and signaled with hand gestures that the score was 3-2 in favor of PSG.

French sports journalist Bertrand Latour wrote on X: “A captain of the French team shouldn’t do that.”