Lionel Messi continues to make history and write his own scripts, whether it's lifting the World Cup, a league or Champions League title, or winning another individual award.
The legendary Argentinian claimed an incredible eighth Ballon d'Or on October 30, 2023, catapulting himself into football history in the process. No other player has won the prize more than five times, with Messi's long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo (five) his nearest challenger.
Whether anyone else will ever come close is up for serious debate. But that doesn't mean there aren't great players coming through — it's just that the battle for the big prize will be potentially more competitive than in the Messi and Ronaldo era.
Messi himself namechecked a handful of contenders while speaking to the media after winning the 2023 Ballon d'Or. Some of those were even in attendance at the gala in Paris, collecting prizes of their own.
The Sporting News examines what Messi said, the players he named and their future chances of winning football's most prestigious individual prize — and which of them made the shortlist for the 2024 prize.
MORE: The 2024 Ballon d'Or nominees
Lionel Messi predicts Ballon d'Or winners
Lionel Messi was his usual magnanimous self after being awarded his eighth Ballon d'Or in a star-studded ceremony in Paris on October 30. He dedicated the award to his country, with his achievements to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar central to his lifting of the individual prize.
He held off a strong challenge from Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, whose goals had propelled Pep Guardiola's side to win the treble. Kylian Mbappe came third after his exploits with World Cup finalists France, and with Paris Saint-Germain. And it was those two players who Messi named while speaking to the press afterwards.
"This Ballon d'Or is a gift for all of Argentina," said Messi. "But, I don't want to forget Haaland or Mbappe, who had a great year, spectacular, and in the coming years they will win this award.
"The level never goes down. I've been lucky to be here for many years. I want to give special mention to all those people who were happy that Argentina were world champion."
✨ Messi: “Haaland and Mbappé will win the Ballon d’Or one day”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 30, 2023
“Erling deserved it very much too, he has won Premier League, Champions League while being the top scorer of everything. This award could have been yours today too…”.
“I’m sure in the next years you will win it”. pic.twitter.com/1XmwRvOOVi
In an interview with L'Equipe, Messi also tipped two others to challenge: Vinicius Junior and Lamine Yamal.
He said: "It could be hotly contested in the coming years with players like Haaland, Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr. 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. There will certainly be others who will fight for it as well with other players yet to appear. It will be a new era."
Who did Lionel Messi predict to win the Ballon d'Or?
Erling Haaland
"We are so proud of you... and you deserve much more," were the words of Erling Haaland's agent Rafaela Pimenta after the Norwegian missed out on the Ballon d'Or in 2023. His 52 goals in all competitions for City in 2022/23 were ultimately not quite enough, something that caused controversy on the night.
But there's no doubt Haaland is a leading contender for the 2024 award, even if not winning the UEFA Champions League — and not playing at Euro 2024, for which Norway did not qualify — may harm his chances.
Kylian Mbappe
Taking to Instagram, the 24-year-old championed the 2023 Ballon d'Or winner, Messi. Mbappe wrote: "Congratulations Leo for your award. You deserve it."
While there was some debate over whether Haaland had deserved the prize over Messi, there's little argument that Mbappe was rightly placed in third, although things might have been different had France won the penalty shootout in the World Cup final — a game in which Mbappe scored a hat-trick. But there's a sense that the forward could reach greater heights in the years to come. He's now France captain and has finally joined Real Madrid, which could elevate Mbappe to that next level.
MORE: Our early 2024 Ballon d'Or predictions: Bellingham, Haaland & Mbappe in frame
Vinicius Jr
It was perhaps a shock to hear Messi name a player from Barcelona's long-time rivals, Real Madrid, but there is no doubting Vinicius' credentials as a Ballon d'Or contender. He's only 24 and came sixth in the 2023 final standings.
The Brazilian is on the precipice of becoming the absolute key man for both his national team and Real Madrid. The 2022/23 campaign was a tough one for those teams, with Brazil falling at the quarterfinal stage in the 2022 World Cup and Los Blancos failing to get their hands on either La Liga or the Champions League, but things changed last season at club level as Vinicius inspired his side to league and European glory.
Lamine Yamal
Is Lamine Yamal a mini-Messi coming through the Barcelona academy? At just 17 and already making a name for himself in the first team, it doesn't feel like an exaggeration to make such comparisons.
The winger was a top performer for Barca in a tough season in 2023/24 before playing a starring role as Spain won Euro 2024. He is the top contender for the Kopa Trophy this year, but a Ballon d'Or challenge is surely not far away.
Other Ballon d'Or candidates Messi didn't name
Manchester City duo Kevin de Bruyne (33) and Rodri (28) came fourth and fifth in the 2023 Ballon d'Or rankings.
It also feels likely that Victor Osimhen (25) and Messi's fellow countryman Julian Alvarez (23) could all be in the frame in the future after they both finished in the top 10 in 2023, although Osimhen's challenge now looks unlikely until at least 2025 after a difficult year in his career.
The other player Messi didn't name, but will surely compete for the honour in the future, is Jude Bellingham. At 21, the Englishman tore the Champions League and La Liga asunder in his debut Real Madrid season and led England to the final of Euro 2024.