PSG teammate Achraf Hakimi believes Kylian Mbappe ‘deserves’ to win the Ballon d’Or in 2023 over Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland.

According to Achraf Hakimi, Kylian Mbappe “deserves” to beat off Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland for the 2023 Ballon d’Or prize.

The Frenchman continued his stellar start to the season by guiding PSG to a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, and the Moroccan international backed Mbappe to win football’s most coveted individual award for the first time.

Speaking to beIN Sports France, Hakimi said: “Compared to what he did this last year, for me, he deserves to win the Ballon d’Or. He’s a great player and I hope he can win it this year.”

After helping Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar last year, Messi is presently the favourite to win his record-extending seventh Ballon d’Or. Haaland, who helped Manchester City win the treble in his first season, is also a contender after scoring 56 goals.

Mbappe was the tournament’s best scorer and managed to net 41 goals at the club level for PSG in 2022–2023 despite the fact that France lost to Argentina in the 2023 World Cup final, depriving him of the championship.

• ‘Yeah, I’m thinking about the Ballon d’Or,’ says Kylian Mbappe, insisting he’s ‘done his part’ to earn top honour as PSG transfer speculation heats up.

IN THREE PHOTOS:Getty ImagesGettyGetty Images

WHAT NEXT FOR PSG? Luis Enrique’s side will be next seen in action on Sunday in Ligue 1 against Marseille.