Lionel Messi Still Above Mbappe, Says Balerdi

Ahead of Marseille’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid, captain Leonardo Balerdi declared Lionel Messi remains the world’s best, above Mbappé, Haaland and Bellingham. He highlighted Messi’s leadership, the 2022 World Cup triumph over France, and lasting influence on Argentine players, stressing there is no debate until Messi retires.

When the Champions League clash between Marseille and Real Madrid drew attention, captain Leonardo Balerdi shifted the spotlight with bold remarks about Lionel Messi. Speaking on French program Téléfoot, the Argentine defender insisted that Messi remains the best in the world, still above Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Jude Bellingham.

According to Balerdi, “as long as he doesn’t retire, Messi is number one,” stressing both his talent and his symbolic role for Argentina Balerdi recalled Messi’s leadership during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Argentina defeated Mbappé’s France in a dramatic final, a moment that cemented Messi’s status as the ultimate footballing icon. For the Marseille captain, that triumph proved beyond doubt that Messi continues to reign. Even now, at Inter Miami, Messi is still Argentina’s captain and undisputed leader, in Balerdi’s eyes.

He highlighted how Messi gave the nation its greatest joy and remains an inspiration for a generation of players. The defender’s words have reignited the debate about whether Mbappé has truly inherited football’s throne, or if Messi still holds it.